Pregnant Women, Schoolchildren At Risk As Imo Federal Road Project Stalls Despite N273M Release

December 8, 2025
News

A civic accountability organisation, MonITNG, has accused the Federal Ministry of Works of repeatedly allocating funds for the construction of the 1.5km Irete–Ndegwu Road in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, despite a complete absence of work on the ground.

In a statement issued on Monday, the group alleged that the project has appeared in federal budgets for two consecutive years, and that substantial funds were released to a contractor without any mobilisation to site.

Budgeted Twice, Executed Zero Times

MonITNG said the project first appeared in the 2023 Federal Government budget, only to be “inexplicably recycled” in the 2024 budget, even though no physical work had begun.

The group identified the project under Code ERGP202303924, approved as a new intervention valued at ₦400 million under the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Further investigations, it said, drew heavily on findings from Tracka, a public budget monitoring platform.

₦273.3 Million Released — With Nothing to Show

According to MonITNG:

“Tracka’s findings revealed that in October 2024, the Federal Ministry of Works released an alarming ₦273.3 million to Pinnatech Engineering Ltd for the construction of this road.”

Despite the critical role the road plays in enabling movement, trade, healthcare, and education across Irete, Ndegwu, and surrounding communities, the organisation said no progress has been recorded.

The group added:

“Over a year later, there is nothing to show for the huge public expenditure — no contractors, no equipment, no signboard, no gravel, no drainage work, no asphalt.”

Tracka monitors who visited the site reportedly found the road unchanged, muddy, flooded, and dangerous, just as it has been for years.

Human Toll of an Abandoned Project

The organisation highlighted the devastating impact of the stalled project on local communities:

• Children wade through floodwater daily on their way to school.

• Pregnant women risk their lives by riding motorcycles during medical emergencies.

• Traders suffer losses as goods fail to reach markets due to impassable terrain.

MonITNG described the situation as a painful reminder of “broken promises and systemic neglect.”

Repeated Allocations Raise Red Flags

According to the group, the abandoned project was again listed as ONGOING in the 2024 Federal Budget under a new code, ERGP12209601, with an additional ₦71.75 million allocated.

Yet, the earlier ₦273.3 million, the group said, appears to have vanished without trace.

MonITNG stated:

“This goes beyond weak implementation. It reflects a deeper problem — deliberate misuse of public funds carried out without consequences.”

Call for Transparency and Investigation

The organisation insisted that the people of Irete, Ndegwu, and neighbouring communities have endured enough hardship and preventable suffering.

It demanded full transparency from the Federal Ministry of Works:

“We want the immediate release of the full contract documents, payment records, valuation certificates, and concrete evidence of any work purportedly done.”

MonITNG also urged anti-graft agencies, including the ICPC and EFCC, to investigate Pinnatech Engineering Ltd and the officials responsible for approving and releasing the funds.

The group concluded:

“Public funds must be traced, recovered where misused, and this road constructed without further delay. The people deserve accountability, justice, and a safe, motorable road now.”