Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has Commissioned the Obiorah Road Aba for public use after months of rehabilitation by the Ministry of Works’ Civil Engineering Team.
Speaking at the event, Governor Otti who commended the team for their exceptional work, emphasized that the project demonstrates the State’s capacity to deliver World-Cass infrastructure without breaking the bank.
According to Governor Otti, the road, constructed through the State’s Direct Labour Agency, cost 25-30% of what similar projects by external contractors would require and added that his administration is commitment to infrastructural development as a catalyst for economic transformation.
“It is important to re-emphasize that the road we are standing on today was not done by contract but by Direct Labour Agency about a year and six months ago directly under the Ministry of Works under the supervision of Ministry of Works constructed.
“I have it on good authority that the quality of work done on this road is as good as the work that Julius Berger is doing in Port Harcourt but the entire cost is just about 30 or 25 per cent of what it should have been if we had contracted it out.
“This road project will not just bring a boom in the level of economic opportunities around here, but will also improve the value of commercial and residential properties in this area and increasing access to capital for those who wish to access funds to inject into their individual enterprises”, Gov Otti highlighted.
He reaffirmed his adminstration’s dedication to delivering sustainable infrastructure across the state and disclosed that the next few months would witness an intensified focus on commissioning and flagg off of numerous projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and fostering socio-economic growth across the State’s urban and rural areas.
Governor Otti who stressed his administration’s prudent Financial Management revealed that the State has significantly reduced its debt profile and remains one of the few states with zero indebtedness to contractors, attributing the achievement to disciplined governance and effective utilization of public resources.
The Governor urged the people of Abia to be active participants in the payment of taxes and statutory revenues, noting that the state has simplified its tax payment systems through digital platforms to ensure accountability and transparency and assured citizens that their tax revenues would be judiciously utilized.
He reiterated his administration’s focus on Aba as a major Industrial and Commercial hub pointing out that investments in Infrastructure, Sanitation, and Security among others are designed to restore Aba’s economic glory and generate revenue for further development across the State.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Oti, described the road as crucial to revitalising the Commercial nerve center of the state.
The Commissioner who disclosed that the road was originally an earth road “but the construction has raised its status to an asphaltic concrete road”, urged the residents of Aba to desist from engaging in activities that would adversely affect the road.
In their separate remarks, the Member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Mr Stephen Ucheonye, and the Chairman of Aba South Local Government Area, Mr Nwobilor Anyanwu, commended the Governor for executing a project to iimprove the welfare of the people pointing out that road would play a vital role in improving traffic and boosting commercial activities within the area.
They said that the road has given residents a new lease of life, a sense of belonging and increased the value of commercial and residential property in the area.
Governor Otti also Commissioned the newly constructed Abak Street, off Aba Owerri Road, Salad Market bypass/Toonak Drive, Aba.
