Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has been commended for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road in Orumba South Local Government Area, a project residents say has transformed transportation, agriculture and economic activities across the axis.
The Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer and philanthropist, Chief Mrs Obiageli Okwubanego, gave the commendation while speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Maitama, Abuja.
Okwubanego described the road project as a major infrastructure breakthrough that has drastically reduced travel time and eased movement for motorists and residents in the affected communities.
She recalled that the appeal for the road was first made in 2019 when Soludo attended the funeral mass of her mother, Chief Mrs Agnes Igwenagu Okeke. According to her, the deplorable state of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and guests attending the burial ceremony.
“When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I returned to my people and urged them to support him, with the assurance that the road would be completed. I also appealed to him to extend the project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown,” she said.
She noted that the newly completed road has reduced travel time by about two hours and now serves as an alternative route to the traffic-prone Umunze Roundabout. Travellers heading towards Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu areas of Imo State, now use the route to avoid congestion.
“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Okwubanego described the project as part of Soludo’s broader infrastructure and economic transformation agenda across Anambra State, noting that it has enhanced the movement of goods and services and improved economic activities in the area.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has positively impacted our communities and brought remarkable transformation to the entire Orumba South Local Government Area,” she said.
She further noted that residents of the Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.
“Since I started visiting the Nawfija community years ago, residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she said.
Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities, particularly palm oil production. She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in the area.
“The Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.
On tourism potential, she said the road would also improve access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and boosting commercial activities.
“With easier access to the Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will increase significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her strong attachment to the Nawfija community, stating that her commitment to its welfare and development remains unwavering.
“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally appealed to His Excellency to provide this road. My passion for the community will always drive me to support their welfare,” she said.