The 2027 Abia All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Mascot Uzor Kalu, has again raised the alarm over the worsening condition of Aba, declaring that fixing roads without addressing drainage is a complete waste of resources.
For over 10 years, the APC chieftain has consistently blamed the city’s flooding and infrastructural decay on the absence of a functional drainage system, a warning now gaining fresh attention after recent heavy rains submerged major roads in Aba.
Videos circulating online and sighted by MUK TV showed key roads including Obohia Road, Clifford Road, and Ikot-Ekpene Ogbor-Hill Road taken over by floodwaters, despite recent reconstruction efforts.
Kalu, a former governorship candidate and real estate entrepreneur, has maintained that Aba’s development plan is outdated and no longer reflects current realities.
“If you look at Aba, the development plan for it by Sam Mbakwe in the old Imo State is now obsolete. It did not take into consideration the population density of today.
“When I was a Chief of Staff, I did my research and found out that the Ukwu Mango axis was supposed to be a water collection center like a mini-dam, and that is why the Ariaria axis keeps getting flooded anytime it rains.
“So, we need to redesign the city through decongestion, then fixing the drainage system, and turning it into a vibrant trade hub.”
The governorship hopeful also called for the creation of a satellite city to ease pressure on Aba and revive its economic strength.
According to him, areas such as Isiala Ngwa, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Osisioma, and Ukwa should be developed to support expansion and decongestion.
Kalu insists that until the drainage system is fixed, any road project in Aba will continue to fail, a position many now say recent floods have clearly validated.
