The House of Representatives has decided to look into claims that the state government and certain oil corporations abandoned the Orlu-Mgbe-Akokwa Road in the Ideato North/South federal constituency of Imo State, even though former President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the project’s Tax Incentive Credit.
Remember that the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit (RITC) Scheme was approved by former President Buhari in October 2017 with the goal of enticing the private sector to participate in the construction of road infrastructure throughout Nigeria.
One of the numerous highways that were considered for repair and restoration was the 22-kilometer Orlu-Mgbe-Akokwa federal route, which passes through Imo State’s Ideato North/South federal constituency.
Following the passage of a petition from the Forum of Elders of Ideato Communities, which was presented to the House plenary on Tuesday by the legislator representing the constituency, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmakers adopted the resolution.
The Imo State government and the oil companies entered into a partnership for the road’s repair and rehabilitation under the tax credit scheme, according to the petition laid out on March 14, 2024, and signed by the forum’s secretary, Elder Mbaoma Uche, and chairman, Elder Ejike Okwara.
Related News
Enugu Government Shuts Down ShopRite, SPAR, Others For Tax Evasion
IPMAN Threatens To Shut Filling Stations In Anambra Over Multiple Taxation
However, the petitioners bemoaned the fact that, a year after the road’s construction was flagged off, little to no work had been done on it, and as a result of the road’s poor condition, the constituency’s residents were completely cut off from other parts of the State and the nation.
The forum claims that since the road’s construction was abandoned, there has been a sharp increase in gully erosion. This erosion has caused the houses and land properties within the road’s boundaries to wash away, and many locals have fled for their lives.
Concerned that the lives of the locals would remain in danger in the event that swift action is not done to get the contractor(s) back to the site so that the road can be rebuilt.
Thus, the elders implored the legislators to order the relevant Ministry and other participants in the RITC Scheme to return to the site and carry out the road’s repair, for the good people.
As a result, Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who oversaw the plenary session, submitted the petition to the House Committee on Public Petitions for additional legislative action.
