By JKNewsMedia
TRANSFORMATION RADIATED through the commercial hub of Aba as President Bola Tinubu commissioned the 6.7-kilometre Port Harcourt Road, newly reconstructed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
The event turned the bustling city into a festival ground, drawing residents and community representatives from Aba and neighbouring Local Government Areas in jubilation.
Crowds gathered along the rejuvenated stretch, celebrating what one resident, Obi Ikechukwu, described as “the celebration of good life after bitter life.”
Another resident, a rent collector, reflected on years of neglect that kept businesses closed and shops shuttered due to recurrent flooding.
“Before now, we didn’t even open our shops because of the kind of flood we used to face here. But today, that sad story has changed,” he said.
A bus operator, Ikem Nonso, recalled that the road had been impassable since 2007. “For a long time, we used Owerrinta Road to reach Port Harcourt.
It was stressful for us drivers, but we thank God that it will no longer be like that again,” he noted.
Music, dance, and masquerade displays filled the air as jubilant crowds, including women and youth groups, celebrated what many called the “redemption of Aba.”
Entertainment points along the road thrived with local DJs and performers, turning the commissioning into a carnival of relief and renewal.
President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, described the project as a “miracle delivered by the state government through Julius Berger.”
The President commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for the quality and timeliness of the reconstruction and his wider commitment to infrastructural renewal across the state.
Engr. Friedrich Wieser, Director, Administration, Alh Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita, Site Engineer, Uyo Site,
Engr. Kehinde Bakare and Chief Security Officer, Uyo Site, Sunny Nwabuisi, all of Julius Berger at
the commissioning site, Port Harcourt Road, Aba, last Friday.
“The government and contractor’s efforts have led to the miracle of transformation being witnessed not only in Aba but in the entire state,” Tinubu said through Umahi.
He added that the Federal Government remained committed to supporting state-led infrastructure development.
“The President directed me that any governor who wants to do any federal road, I must approve within 24 hours. And, Governor, I am handing over the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road to you. You must do it,” Umahi stated.
Governor Otti expressed gratitude to the President and lauded Julius Berger for what he described as a demonstration of engineering excellence.
“This road is a miracle just delivered by Julius Berger. We agreed to have it completed by the end of 2025, but it was delivered in May 2025. Its testimony will not be told now,” he said.
The Port Harcourt Road project, the Governor added, aligns with broader efforts by both the Federal and State Governments to restore critical infrastructure and stimulate economic activity.
The road is expected to shorten travel time, reduce logistics costs for traders, and improve access between Aba and major economic corridors in the South-East and Niger Delta.
Director of Administration at Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Alh. Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita, in his remarks, described the project as “more than a corridor of asphalt and concrete; it is a lifeline for commerce and connection.”
He explained that Port Harcourt Road links markets to manufacturers, neighbourhoods to opportunities, and Aba to the wider regional economy.
Kaita noted that residents had long endured flooding, traffic congestion, and property losses along the route.
“The commissioning marks a shift from perennial disruption to reliable mobility and from reactive palliatives to planned resilience,” he said. According to him, the construction brief focused on durability and sustainability.
“From the outset, our brief was clear: deliver a roadway that withstands heavy traffic and rains. We approached the task with three non-negotiables, resilient pavement structure, comprehensive stormwater management, and complete street safety and urban renewal elements.
“At Julius Berger, we ensure that projects of this scale succeed when engineering meets empathy,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emeto, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kanu, and members of the National Assembly.
Security was tight throughout the event as the Nigerian Army, Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety Corps, and local vigilante groups ensured the safety of dignitaries and residents along the 6.7km stretch.
Julius Berger’s delegation to the event included the Director, Administration, Regional Manager for the South-East and South-South, Engr. Friedrich Wieser, Regional Security Manager, Paul Hayward, Regional Project Coordinator, Sam Ngbor, Project Site Engineer, Engr. Kehinde Bakare, and Uyo Site Chief Security Officer, Sunny Nwabuisi.
