Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been commended for completing the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka Road, a project stakeholders say is reshaping transportation, agriculture and tourism in Orumba South Local Government Area of the state.
Vice President of Boardwalk Group and Abuja-based real estate developer, Chief Mrs. Obiageli Okwubanego, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, said the road had reduced travel time between the affected communities and Awka, the state capital, to about 15 minutes.
She described the project as a strategic alternative route capable of easing the prolonged traffic congestion often experienced during festive periods across parts of the area.
“This road is very strategic and serves as a bypass. The traffic gridlock that kept travellers stranded for hours during Christmas, Easter and other celebrations can now be avoided,” she said.
Okwubanego recalled that the road project was conceived during the burial of her mother when Soludo was campaigning for governorship, noting that the deplorable condition of the road at the time made movement extremely difficult for mourners and residents.
“The road was in terrible condition and moving my mother’s casket became a serious challenge. I appealed to Governor Soludo to extend the road to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown, and today that vision has been realised,” she stated.
According to her, the project reflects the Soludo administration’s ongoing infrastructure renewal and economic transformation drive across Anambra State.
She noted that the completion of the road would enhance the movement of goods and services, stimulate commercial activities and improve the living conditions of residents in the benefiting communities.
“Governor Soludo’s solution agenda has come to our communities, and this road will bring remarkable transformation to Orumba South,” she added.
Okwubanego further observed that Nawfija community had never enjoyed a tarred road before the intervention, describing the project as a milestone for residents who had endured years of infrastructural neglect.
“Since I was born in Nawfija, the community had never experienced a tarred road. Soludo has now provided us with our first properly constructed road,” she said.
She also highlighted the economic significance of the project, especially for agriculture, noting that the communities are major producers of palm oil in the local government area.
“The adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements, with vast palm plantations spanning over 20 hectares in Nawfija. This road will greatly improve the transportation of agricultural produce,” she explained.
On tourism potential, she said easier access to the Oji Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, would stimulate more human and business activities within the area.
“With improved accessibility to the famous Oji Stream, tourism and commercial activities are expected to grow significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her commitment to the development of Nawfija community, revealing that she had supported electricity projects in the area through the provision of transformers and efforts aimed at connecting the community to the national grid.Soludo’s 16.4km Road Project Ends Years of Suffering, Opens Up Anambra Communities
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.
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 within 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 went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road 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 traffic 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.
According to her, the road has enhanced the movement of goods and services within the communities 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 Nawfija community had never experienced a tarred road before the intervention of the Soludo administration.
“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the 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 added.
Highlighting the economic importance of the project, Okwubanego said the road has significantly boosted agricultural activities in the area, especially palm oil production.
She explained that the adjoining communities are predominantly farming settlements responsible for a substantial share of palm oil production in Orumba South Local Government Area.
“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road 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 increase access to the popular Ozi Stream, known for fishing and irrigation activities, thereby attracting more visitors and commercial activities.
“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly,” she noted.
Okwubanego also reaffirmed her emotional attachment to Nawfija community, saying her passion for the people inspired her continuous commitment to their welfare and development.
“My dear Nawfija community means so much to me, which is why I personally pleaded with His Excellency to give us this road. My passion for the community will always push me to look out for their welfare,” she said.
