Abia State Governor Alex Otti has announced that his administration will soon begin the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road in Aba, abandoned for over 24 years.
The project forms part of efforts to address long standing infrastructure gaps that affected economic and social activities in the city.
The governor made the disclosure during a special Sunday Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church, CKC, Aba, on Sunday.
The information was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
“Even if you pay the Catholic Church a billion dollars, they will not do the wrong thing. This is your government and we will never disappoint you,” the Governor reassured.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet. We have just dealt with the hygiene issues – cleaning up the environment, roads, water, etc. We are now focusing more on Healthcare, Education, Technology, Industrialization and others.
“We will soon embark on the complete recovery of Aba by flagging off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express. Any project we can’t find the money for, we don’t start. We have found the money. It is in the bank, and the flag-off will happen soon,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor also promised support for the ongoing Catholic Men Organization CMO Secretariat Project and other projects by Catholic Women Organization CWO and Catholic Youths Organization CYO, representing the men, mothers, and youths of the Church. He thanked the Church and its organs for the rare and generous endorsement.
Governor Otti pledged to continue working for the people of Abia State and gave assurance on the next phase of his administration.
Recall that Property owners and residents of Uratta Road, with an estimated population of over 300,000 people, had earlier in the year implored the state government to fix the road before the rainy season.
Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Aba Catholic Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Professor Augustine Ndubueze Echema, said leadership and power must be about the people. Taking his text from Matthew 9:36, he noted that our Lord Jesus Christ was moved with compassion for the crowd because their leadership had failed them.
Likening Governor Otti to a leader with passion and pity for Abia people, the Bishop declared that the Governor needs no campaign.
“We have a man of integrity and nobody needs to campaign for Governor Otti. His works will campaign for him.
“You are worth supporting. This is the first time the Catholic Diocese of Aba is honoring a Governor,” Most Rev. Professor Echema said.
He thanked Governor Otti for wiping the tears of Abia people and for proving that the government is truly about the people. The Bishop also urged all Catholic faithful to take advantage of the ongoing voters’ registration exercise and obtain their PVCs to exercise their civic responsibility during elections.
The three prominent organs of the Church – CMO, CWO, and CYO – in their remarks, thanked the Governor for his excellent and people centered leadership.
They described him as a “silent achiever” who has touched the lives of ordinary Abians, especially in Aba, recalling the years of suffering due to lack of access roads before his emergence. Each organ presented the Governor with special gifts.
The service was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba and his amiable wife; members of the Abia State House of Assembly; Mayors, Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Creative Economy, Hon. Mathew Ekwuruibe, among other top government officials.
(The Whistler)
