Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has announced that plans are on top gear to flag off the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, which has remained in a deplorable state for years.
Governor Otti, who made the announcement on Thursday during the Monthly Media Parley tagged “Governor Otti Speaks” at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, said the flag-off of the road’s reconstruction would take place in the next few weeks.
“We are almost set to flag off the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road. That should happen in the next few weeks,” the Governor said.
He restated his administration’s determination to tackle the problem of decayed infrastructure across the state, adding that his government will continue to flag off road construction across the state.
Governor Otti noted that his administration prioritised roads from the outset as they remain the backbone of economic activities, stressing that accessible roads are essential to restoring the state’s economy.
He assured residents that his government would not rest on its oars until critical road networks across Abia are reconstructed and made motorable.
“We are not resting on our oars on infrastructure, particularly Works. We will continue to flag off roads under the Ministry of Works, Greater Aba Development Agency, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, and then Greater Ohafia Development Authority.
“You know more than I do that the major problem that this state has faced is decayed infrastructure, particularly roads.
“And that is why we attacked it the way we did when we came in. We dealt with the first sets of roads and delivered them and we have moved to the next set. We will continue until everywhere is accessible,” Governor Otti assured.
The Governor disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be in Abia next week to commission the newly completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba, alongside several other rehabilitated roads including the Ohanku, Ndoki and the People’s Road.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic will be here on Friday next week to commission Port Harcourt Road and several other roads in Aba.
“Final agreements are being made, and I’m sure people will come out in their numbers to celebrate the delivery of Port Harcourt Road and the rest of the roads, including Ohanku Road, People’s Road, and a few others that will be commissioned next week, Friday,” he added.
Governor Otti further revealed that the GADA is currently handling about ten other roads in Aba, in addition to supervising renovation projects at the Enyimba Hotel and Aba Leisure Park.
He assured that the renovation of the First Phase of the Enyimba Hotel Aba, aimed at returning the city to its lost glory, will be delivered by the end of next year.
On Agriculture, Governor Otti said that his administration has commenced a Pilot Rice Farming Scheme in Owerrinta, to secure food supply and reposition Abia as one of the largest rice producers in the country.
“It is sufficient to say that we have kicked off the pilot scheme for rice in Owerrinta. When I spoke to experts this evening, I was told that the yield per hectare, which is in the region of 5 tonnes, was quite high for a pilot scheme,” Governor Otti said.
The Governor further disclosed that his administration had introduced technology to gather data on farmers and farmlands across the state, in order to ensure targeted interventions and efficient monitoring.
According to him, 45,000 farmers across the state have been enumerated, with 58,000 hectares of arable farmland in the state indicated, adding that continuous data gathering is ongoing to ensure that government support reaches genuine farmers.
On Security, Otti commended the combined efforts of security agencies in maintaining peace across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant, share information that could help security agencies prevent crime, especially during these ember months.
He also disclosed that his administration is renovating and expanding the Aba prison, pointing out that the aim was not to accommodate more criminals but to modernise correctional facilities.
