Abia Govt Moves To Ease Umuahia Gridlock With New Railway Road Link

… Intensifies Urban Renewal Drive

Abia State Government says it has entered into partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to construct a 200-metre link road across the railway axis in Umuahia as part of efforts to ease traffic.

The road will stretch from Bende Road Junction around the Post Office Tower, through the railway crossing to the First Bank and Akanu Ibiam Road axis.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

According to Prince Kanu, the construction would commence soon following the completion of the design and scoping of the project.

The Commissioner said the state government has also commenced renovation and retrofitting of one of the existing structures within the railway station to enable the relocation of the present police post.

“In accordance with the state government’s agenda of improving the state’s transport sector to 21st century standards, we recently signed an MOU with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to construct a 200-meter road extension that stretches from Bende Road, junction by the Post Office Tower, through the railway crossing to the First Bank and Akanu Ibiam Road areas.

“Construction of the road will commence soon with the design and scoping of the road. Work has also commenced on the renovation and retrofitting of one of the existing structures within the railway station, with a view to relocating the present police post to another place”.

He said the state government would equally reconstruct the abandoned road linking First Bank to the Keystone, Sterling and FCMB bank areas.

Prince Kanu further explained that the projects were designed to ease traffic congestion around Bende Road and improve access for motorists using the Federal Medical Centre and Isigate axis.

The commissioner added that the intervention would also improve traffic flow along Okpara Avenue, pointing out that the projects forms part of the Otti led administration’s plan to bring the transport sector up to “21st century standards”.

He noted the railway corridor intervention would provide an additional route for motorists as well as reduce pressure on some of the city’s existing roads.

Prince Kanu also disclosed that the state government has intensified its urban renewal efforts in Umuahia with major interventions in flood control.

According to the commissioner significant progress has been recorded on the Emede-Ibeku Flood Control Programme, with the project site completely cleared.

He said piling works has reached about 90 per cent completion, while excavation of the drainage and construction of the drainage channels were both about 80 per cent complete adding that government expects the construction works to be completed within the next few weeks.

As part of safety measures, Prince Kanu said properties certified to have structural defects has been sealed off by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA).

He said the owners of the affected properties had been duly informed, adding that the measure was aimed at preventing avoidable fatalities.

The Commissioner also disclosed that improvement works were ongoing at the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal as part of efforts to maintain its modern status with the expansion of ticketing facilities to cope with increasing passenger traffic and installation of solar mini-grid carports to provide 24-hour power supply.

Prince Kanu said the construction works at the terminal were about 60 per cent complete and targeted for completion before the end of the year.

He also gave an update on the Abia Green Shuttle Bus Service, saying the scheme had recorded 560,784 passengers since its launch.

According to the Commissioner, 196,950 passengers used the service between December 2025 and February 2026 when free rides were offered, while 303,834 passengers used the service between its commercialisation in March and the end of August 2026.

He said the figures demonstrated increasing patronage of the subsidised transport service by Abia residents and other users.

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