Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has announced that the Six Lane dualization project of the 19.1 Kilometer Owerrinta-Umuikaa-Onuimo- Itungwa-Mgboko-Amairi-Amaise-Ahiabaubi-Umuelelchi-Umuoba road would commence by April this year.
Governor Otti made the announcement during a Grand Civic Reception in his honour by the people of Isialangwa South LGA, at the Group Primary School,Omoba.
The Governor disclosed that the bidding process for the road project by the Abia State Government in collaboration with the World Bank would be open for one month ahead of its commencement.
He said the idea behind the massive road infrastructure done by his administration is to open up the state for development, investment as well as create access for the people.
“We have decided that at any point, if you get into the state you will know that you have entered Abia State and that is why we have started the dualization of the Owerrinta Umuikaa road.
“We thought we should not stop it at Umuikaa, we now also extended the dualization from Umuikaa all the way to Umuene and from Umuene we will bring it into Umuoba.
“We are also dualising the Onuimo road, moving it to join the Tower to Okpara square and already it is receiving serious attention.
“The whole idea is to open up our places so that people can have access”, Governor Otti noted.
Governor Otti further announced that the present administration has a robust programme to support Agriculture and revealed ongoing efforts with partners from the Hungarian Government and CSS farms in Abuja to enhance agricultural productivity, with the goal of not only feeding Abia State but also contributing to national food security.
While thanking the people for celebrating him, Governor Otti who admitted that accepting such celebrations was initially a difficult decision for him, said; “I do not want be celebrated as such.
“The truth is that it is still early stage and somehow, I try to run away from events like this because if you don’t caution yourself, it is possible to derail. It is possible for you to begin to seek and clog the media, it is possible to start celebrating what does not exist.
“We are all from this state and we know that crowds like this were not unavailable in the previous administration when the state was decaying”.
Governor Otti pointed out that he has intensified efforts towards developing the state, and affirmed his administration’s resilience and dedication to governance despite the challenges faced in the past months, including legal battles.
“If you watch me carefully and if you listened to me, I said we will settle down and start the work of governance. What that means is that we have not even started.
“What you have seen in the last eight months is what the Englishman will call dress rehearsal. My definition of leadership is stewardship. Our concentration will be more than doubled”, the Governor affirmed.
Sen. Darlington Nwokocha
In their separate remarks, Senator Darlington Nwokocha and the Member Representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe while expressing gratitude to Governor Otti for his relentless efforts to uplift Abia from maladministration and backwardness.
Chief Ginger Onwusibe
They highlighted projects such as the expansion of Onuimo-Owertinta road and Ntigha junction to Orientigha, emphasizing the visible transformation in Isialangwa and all parts of the state and assured the people of more democracy dividends under the present government.
Dr. Elelenta
The Mayor, Isialangwa South LGA, Dr Elelenta Nwanbuisi Elele, said the event was organized to appreciate and celebrate their son, Governor Otti who God has chosen to spearhead the leadership of the state adding that the Governor’s achievements in the past months haas sent positive reverberations, across the country.
Gov Alex Otti and his wife, Lady Priscilia Otti at the event
The event which was chaired by Sir Chidi Ajaegbu, featured the reception of PDP defectors into the Labour Party, a moment of silence in honor of the late CEO of Access Corporation, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son who tragically passed away in a recent plane crash and was attended by the Governor’s wife, Members of the State Executive Council, LGAs Mayors, State Chairman Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Mba-Ntoh, and Labour Party members.
