I read with utter disdain , a piece published by Ugochukwu Nwankwo, where the writer misconstrued a harmless intervention by the kind hearted Enyinnaya Nwafor, describing it as seeking for cheap popularity and what he further tagged turning to an emergency Philanthropist.
Apart from irresponsible journalism, the only possible reason that could inspire the use of these uncharitable words is crass ignorance. Whereas irresponsible journalism remains a matter of ethics, crass ignorance is an unpardonable vice.
2. For proper understanding, on the 11th of December, 2021 and within the precincts of Owerrinta – Imo River, Nana Nwafor who was returning to Aba met an alarming traffic gridlock caused by Tanker Drivers. He did not try to manoveur his way. He probed further and was informed that Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (PTDU), an arm of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Union (NUPENG) was poised for a showdown with the Abia State Government. Their grouse was the failed portions of the Osisioma – Ekeakpara (A Federal Road) leading to the NNPC depot which according to them had consumed 38 of their trucks. They had commenced a strike action until such time their concerns shall have been addressed.
3. Nana, a pathological humanist and selfless interventionist sought to know how best the issue could be resolved and a quick win achieved.
4. His engagements with these drivers were most importantly bases on his belief that the Governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who he genuinely describes as his brother, needs all the help he could get. He was particular about the looming crises, paying attention to the threat by these Drivers that Abia residents would buy fuel for no less than N1000/litre in the coming days.
5. Note that Nana is neither an employee of the Abia State Government nor her Representative. He was bothered by the human angle. Otherwise, he could afford N1000/litre and walk away pretending that nothing happened.
6. While all these transpired, he didn’t have the faintest idea the extent the State Government had gone in trying to resolve the crisis. When a man is set to be part of the solution, he tackles the challenge with poise.
7. Despite the seeming unfriendly attitude of these aggrieved Drivers, he endured and invited them to a roundtable for the quickest temporary measure
8. Early morning of the 12th of December 2021, the leadership of PTD were already in his house. It is important to State at this juncture that, the leaders had recognised him as the same person who had intervened within failed portions on the same axis, sometime in 2019.
9. The Drivers said unless remedial actions are taken on failed portions of the road, there is no deal.
10. Nana has a quarry site in Ebonyi and a large yard at his Tunnel End site along the Enugu – PH Express Road. He has two options, use the materials close or where they are not enough, call for reinforcement from Ebonyi.
11. In what could be described as the swiftest action yet, he followed the Drivers to assess the failed portions with a view to determining what would be appropriate to get a quick win. It would be recalled that he invited experts from his company to join in the assessment.
12. As a responsible private season, urbane and thoroughbred professional Engineer, he knew that the Road in question had been awarded to a contractor. He knew that it was unethical to engage in any form of intervention without authorisation. He put a call through to appropriate quarters. Without delay he was authorised to go ahead. So, he did not circumvent any procedure.
13. In minutes, thirty (30) trips of appropriate construction materials arrived the site. I will not bother you with the cost of that intervention. You know why? A man who had gifted 27 communities across the State with Transforners, fully energised at no cost to the government does not count costs or return.
14. So, you already know the answer to your question of whether the State Government contracted him to do the job.
15. Those cameras you think were to make caricature of Abians were deployed by ^Ndi Ahunanya Ekwere” (seeing is believing group of company).
16. There was a fresh challenge. The Drivers insisted that their National Chairman who authorised the strike is the only person that can direct them to resume operations. Agreeing to release the Chairman’s number was another round of trouble. With patience and a deliberate attempt ro appeal to the emotions of these drivers, Nana disarmed them.
17. After lengthy discussions, the National Chairman said he would consider his appeal.
18. By 8am Monday December 13, 2021, the Uniom had called off the strike. Thus, the man you chose to disparage ensured that thousands of businesses and individuals were saved the headache of that strike and its concomitant pangs of frustration.
19. May be, I should inform you that, as a Corporate Citizen, schooled in modern principles of Corporate Governance, he had an obligation to offer valid Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
20. The man you maliciously described as an emergency Philanthropist is currently employing 1,215 Abians in Furniture, Construction and other manufacturing companies. It is only a man who is passionate about the development of his State that would.vote billions to site factories in his State. His businesses in Abia are largely not for serious profit because a large Furniture company in Abia has the remotest proximity of local raw materials.
21. It is therefore laughable when you make reference to the jobs he did in Abia. As at 2011, a company he sits on its Board as Chairman had built the largest Estate in Guzape Abuja. At different times, they had received the solid confidence of Natiional Deposit Insurance Company NDIC), Ministry of Defence and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) just to mention but a few whose various contracts they are handling.
22. As a journalist, it will be preposterous for you to seek answers to an information that is in the public domain. Therefore, you can contact the Ministry of Works to ascertain the state of his business engagements with the State.
23. Your assertions are misplaced and laced with mischief otherwise you ought to know that Civil Servants across the State, students, indigent widows, petty drivers and thousands of communities that had once benefitted from his magnanimity will never share in your attempt to distort history.
24. Perhaps, what is deceiving you is his approach to charity. He does charity in the most effortless manner. He believes that his job ends with identifying the needs of the people.
25. If what he is doing is politics, may God bless Abia with at least three more politicians who would build and donate magnificent church buildings even when they had not done a single contract in Abia.
26. I encourage you to stop being obsessed about the roads he constructed. God in His wisdom knows that the 46 year old Nana does not have the strength to revel in negatives. The State Government stood in the gap for him to shame those who think he had shortchanged the State. See full explanations below.
27. It does not augur well for humanity when people mischievously talk down on actions that are purely designed to show gratitude to God for saving us from sin and death
28. Going forward, I will advise you to always go out of your way to source information because a genuine Journalist with the prerequisite professional training stays away from hearsay and must live to his responsibility as the vanguard of the downtrodden.
29. Always be part of the solution not the problem. May Nana happen to every home, business and community
Ben Udechukwu
Writes from Aba
******************
Re: Tunnel End Construction Company: How Compromised Construction Companies are Underdeveloping Abia
Kingsley Emegha
I have just sauntered on a piece written by one Wilfred Chidiebere, where he maliciously made reference to the Ntigha – Umuaro road constructed by Tunnel Emd Construction Co- owned by Engr. Enyinnaya Nwafor. I have said “co – owned” because part of my duty here is to carefully educate poorly educated persons like the ghost Wilfred Chidiebere. In a hurry to malign and possibly bring the responsible and responsive Engr Nwafor to ridicule, the misguided Wilfred did not realise that until 2020, no one person can own a company.
For purpose of clarity, His Excellency Okezie Victor Ikpeazu Ph.D on the 18th of June, 2021 while commissioning the Umuaro – Umuopara – Amano Road in Obingwa Local Government, admitted that the Abia State Government takes full responsibility for the failed portions of the Ntigha – Umuaro Road Constructed by Tunnel End Construction Co. Apart from the unfortunate voyage of mischief, any properly trained person would have applauded the sincerity of the State Government. NO! The Wilfreds of this world, with pathological bile would continue to inspire misinformation. In simple terms, Tunnel End delivered to specification.
Perhaps, Wilfred and his shadows need be reminded that the Akwa Ibom end of that Road was reconstructed in line with realities confronting the road, the type of pressure that was not envisaged. With the failure of several portions of the Arochukwu – Ohafia Road, Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene Road and the Aba – Ikot Ekpene Road, the Ntigha – Umuaro Road became naturally overstretched. In fairness to the Government of Abia State, a review, as promised by the Governor who accepted to bear the brunt, is in order and should be applauded.
Road construction is not rocket science. The components and specifications of every road are largely the choice of the Client. The Ntigha – Umuaro Road was classified as a road without stone base and drainage. Can somebody who understands the language of lunatics tell Wilfred that contractors are always concernedwith delivering based on specifications not “advice” to the Client?
I do not know where Wilfred lives but it is important we remind him that the owners of Tunnel End are visibly dedicated to the overall development of Abia infrastructure. To the glory of God, this “fraudulent” (I don’t want to pray God to punish Chidiebere) company and their sister company delivered within record time several other roads like: Adaelu Road,
Omnee Road,
Obikabia/Umuene Road,
MCC/ Samek Rd,
Ugwunagbor LGA road (5km),
Umuode Road( 5km),
Arumejije Rd ( 9.3km)
Ntigha Rd,
Itukpa Rd,
Owerrinta/ Umuojima Rd ( 4km) and Dr Chima Nwafor by world bank police station road. Unless our misguided friend Wilfred lives in the moon, he will agree that Engr. Nwafor knows full well that no sane person can elect to sell a badly maimed goat to his kinsman.
It is good to play politics. It is however better to do so based on good conscience. The enviable personality of Nana Nwafor is cast in gold and cannot be contaminated by the misguided utterances of rustic characters like that of Wilfred.Si
Since, we are living in very trying and perilous times, we will joyfully categorise Wilfred and his shadows as by products of our poor mental health system.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
The opinions expressed except where they originate from benudechukwu.com, represent the views of such authors. BENUDECHUKWU.COM shall not be held liable for such personal views as canvassed.
