Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has inagurated the Chairman and Members of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) with Prof Awa Kalu SAN as Chairman.
Other Members of the board include, Engr. Obinna Odum – Director General
Dr. Onyinye Rufus-Obi, Surv. Ike Orika and Chief Johnson Chukwu.
Recall that the Governor had few weeks ago signed into law the GODA Bill, as passed into Law by the State House of Assembly.
The law which is in line with the present Administration’s commitment to drive the even and accelerated development aims to ensure that development efforts reach every corner of the state.
Speaking during the inaguration held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti while congratulating members of the board, urged then to bring their wealth of experience to support the agency and drive rapid socio-economic transformation in the area.
“I have no doubt that you will bring your what of experience to the job. You will also bring your contacts and connections to support the agency to fund most of it’s developmental activities“, he said.
The Governor emphasized that his administration’s commitment to equitable development across the State was the driving force behind the creation of GODA.
He noted that the Greater Aba Development Agency (GADA), set up last year by his administration has already made remarkable progress in Aba in addition to the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) which has played a role in transforming Umuahia.
“We believe that the state should be evenly developed and last year, we set up the Greater Aba Development Agency and they have immediately set to work.
“Alot of the things you see we have done in Aba is pioneered by GADA.
“Before our time, the Umuahia capital Development Authority has been set up. Alot of the transformation and the changes that are happening in the state are also supported by UCDA.
“We thought it necessary to also set up the Greater Ohafia Development Agency ensuring that the tripod that Abia state is, is evenly developed”, Governor Otti stated.
He highlighted the deliberate selection of the leadership and members of the board, noting that individuals with integrity, competence, and skills were selected for the assignment
Governor Otti assured them of government’s support, including budgetary allocations to enable them fulfill their mandate.
“GODA is a creation of the government backed by the law and passed by the state House of Assembly in the middle of this year.
“The government is very serious about this agency and will do everything possible to ensure that your mandate is delivered“, he stressed.
Responding on behalf of the other Members, the Chairman of the Board, Prof Awa Kalu said they were “delighted to come on board and join the revolution talking place in Abia” and assured that they would bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new assignment.
