Kenneth Ugbala, the Southeast representative on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) board, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritizing road development in the region. He made this statement during an interaction with journalists in his hometown, Okoffia, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Ugbala dismissed claims that the Southeast has been sidelined in federal road projects, highlighting major constructions like the Enugu-Onitsha road, the 9th Mile-Gboko-Makurdi road, and the inclusion of the coastal ring road in the region’s development plan. “These are things that have never happened to us before,” he said, urging patience and support for the administration.
He emphasized that many roads in the Southeast are accounted for in the 2025 budget. According to Ugbala, “The nation is like a basket, and everyone is scrambling for resources. Despite this, the Southeast is receiving significant attention, thanks to the President’s inclusiveness.”
In addition to construction projects, Ugbala stressed the importance of maintaining existing road infrastructure. He revealed that FERMA has ongoing maintenance operations across the region, including critical routes like Abakaliki-Enugu and Abakaliki-Afikpo roads. “Building roads is one thing, but maintaining them is key to ensuring durability,” he added.
The former Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government also highlighted the administration’s commitment to transparency and value for money in road contracts. He noted that while resources may be limited, efforts are being made to address urgent road needs across the Southeast states.
Ugbala encouraged the people of the Southeast to continue supporting Tinubu’s government, reiterating that the region is benefiting from the administration’s renewed focus on infrastructure. He expressed optimism that ongoing and future projects will significantly improve connectivity and economic development in the area.
