Port Harcourt Road Commissioning Delayed as President Tinubu Reschedules Abia Visit

 

The long-anticipated commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Abia State, has been postponed, according to an official announcement by the state government.

Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, confirmed on Tuesday that the formal launch, originally expected to be led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would now take place at a later date. Kanu attributed the change in schedule to the president’s current commitments, noting that Tinubu has opted to visit the state in early June instead.

Many residents and stakeholders had begun speculating about the delay, but Kanu clarified the situation during a press briefing. “I am sure some of you may have been hearing about it through the grapevine,” he remarked, “so this is like a formal announcement that that exercise has been put off.”

The rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road stands as a major achievement of Governor Alex Otti's administration. Once neglected for more than thirty years by successive governments, the road had become a symbol of infrastructural decay in the commercial city of Aba. Governor Otti’s intervention not only restored functionality but also rekindled hope among residents and business owners who had long suffered due to the road’s poor condition.

President Tinubu was initially expected to commission the road ahead of his two-year anniversary in office, marked on May 29. The visit would have been his first official trip to Abia State since assuming office in 2023.

The project’s deferral has prompted a mix of anticipation and disappointment among locals. However, the state government remains optimistic, emphasizing that the president’s visit is merely delayed—not canceled.

The revamped Port Harcourt Road is seen as a critical piece of Aba’s economic puzzle, facilitating movement and trade in a city often dubbed the commercial hub of the Southeast. Governor Otti’s decision to prioritize the road has been widely praised, with many viewing it as a clear departure from past neglect.

While no new date has been officially set for the commissioning, expectations remain high for a presidential visit in early June. The state government has assured residents that preparations will continue, ensuring that the road is in pristine condition when President Tinubu finally arrives to flag off the project.