Benjamin Kalu Restarts ₦348M Federal Cassava Mill Project In Umuhu Ezechi After Public Outcry

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has finally recommenced the construction and installation of the controversial Federal Government-funded Cassava Mill project valued at ₦348,129,596.34 in Umuhu Ezechi, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

The restart comes weeks after public outcry and community protests over the location, status, and implementation of the project.

The project, captured in the federal budget for Umuhu Ezechi, Bende LGA, sparked outrage after reports emerged that it had already been “completed” and was awaiting commissioning.

However, findings by residents showed no mill in Umuhu Ezechi.

According to a statement attributed to the office of the Deputy Speaker, the facility that was earlier completed is located at Bende Bypass in Bende Town, not Umuhu Ezechi as originally budgeted.

The clarification did little to calm tensions, as stakeholders in Umuhu Ezechi insisted the project must be sited in their community as approved in the national budget.

Following sustained pressure from the community and civil society groups, work has now resumed in Umuhu Ezechi.

An investigation by Dreamnews confirmed that the foundation of the building has been laid at the Umuhu Ezechi site after the community raised the alarm.

Community leaders who spoke to our correspondent said the new development was a direct result of their demand for accountability.

“For months we were told the mill was ready but we could not see it. Now that we have spoken out, they have come back to start the real work here,” a community elder said.

Sources in the office of the Deputy Speaker said the decision to restart construction in Umuhu Ezechi was to “ensure full compliance with the federal budgetary provision and to address the concerns of constituents.”

The office added that the cassava mill, when completed, will boost agro-processing, create jobs, and support farmers in Bende and neighbouring LGAs.

Residents welcomed the restart but said they would continue to monitor the project to ensure timely completion and proper installation of equipment.

Civil society groups in Abia have also called on relevant federal agencies to supervise the project and publish progress reports to avoid a repeat of the controversy.

The ₦348.1 million cassava mill is one of several federal constituency projects nominated for Bende Federal Constituency, which Rt. Hon. Kalu represents.