The Presidency has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for what it described as remarkable strides in infrastructure development and governance, following an inspection of key projects across the state by the Renewed Hope Media Team.
The commendation came on Wednesday, during a tour of federal and state government projects in Abia led by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare.
Speaking with journalists after the inspection, Dare described the level of transformation witnessed across the state within Governor Otti’s three years in office as impressive.
“It is really impressive to see that a state like Abia is experiencing this kind of transformation. From road construction and transportation infrastructure to housing and other critical facilities, there is visible progress under Dr. Alex Otti,” Dare said.
He particularly praised the administration’s investments in road and power infrastructure, noting that such projects are essential to economic growth and social development.
“Even the electrification project we saw on the Ohafia axis demonstrates that the governor is paying attention to critical infrastructure needed to drive development in the state.
“In the past, Abia did not witness the level of infrastructure development expected of it. Today, you have a governor who is focused on the fundamentals and working with stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to deliver results,” he added.
Dare also applauded the cordial working relationship between the Abia State Government and the Federal Government, stressing that governance should transcend political party affiliations.
“When it comes to governance, it is about collaboration. Development should not be defined by political party colours because excessive partisanship only slows progress and affects the people negatively.
“What we have seen here is a productive partnership between the state and federal governments. The collaboration is impressive and the results are evident across sectors, including infrastructure and human capital development,” he stated.
He further referenced ongoing cooperation between both governments on the proposed Abia airport project as an example of effective intergovernmental partnership.
During the tour, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, and the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, conducted the delegation around several completed and ongoing projects.
The commissioners explained that the 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, which was previously in a deplorable condition, was fully funded and reconstructed by the state government.
According to them, the road now provides improved connectivity between communities in Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial Districts while enhancing access to economic and agricultural hubs.
They added that the road project, like several others executed by the administration, is fitted with streetlights to improve safety and night-time visibility.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday disclosed that the government was close to restoring electricity to Ohafia communities that had remained without power for about eight years due to vandalism.
He said the state had completed a 20-kilometre, 33KV power line from Ihechiowa in Arochukwu to Ebem, Ohafia, terminating at a newly installed 7.5MVA injection substation.
“We are currently concluding the final stage of installations required to restore electricity to the entire Ohafia Local Government Area,” Monday said.
The commissioner further revealed that the government was nearing the completion of negotiations to acquire a majority stake in the Abia operations of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
According to him, the move would enable the state to extend reliable power supply to the eight local government areas not currently covered by Geometric Power.
On housing development, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, described the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia as one of the major federal government interventions designed to address housing challenges in the state.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, recalled the poor state of the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Abiriba–Ohafia Road before the current administration’s intervention.
“That road was in a terrible condition for close to two decades before Governor Otti came on board. Today, it has been transformed and is making a significant impact on the lives of residents and businesses in the area,” Ekeoma said.
Projects inspected during the tour included the three sections of the 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, the four-lane Tower–Onuimo Road now renamed Dr. Uma Ukpai Road, and the newly constructed Omenuko Bridge.
Other projects visited were the 30-kilometre Ozuabam–Ndiokereke–Amuvi Arochukwu Road, the newly flagged-off Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia, the Renewed Hope Housing Estate at Onu-Inyang, Bende, and the recently commissioned Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.
Also present during the inspection tour were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa; Senior Special Assistant on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwogbe; Director-General of the Abia State Strategic Communication Bureau, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku , among other government officials.
(The Whistler)
