Purposeful governance took centre stage in Abia State on Sunday as the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, handed over a fully completed and furnished four-bedroom bungalow to a grassroots beneficiary and commissioned modern sanitation projects in Ohafia Local Government Area to commemorate the birthday of Governor Alex Otti.
The keys to the new home were presented to Mr. Chijioke Ibe in Okagwe, while an ultra-modern, solar-powered borehole and an 11-unit toilet facility were inaugurated at the Amaoba section of the Amaekpu community.
Officials said the interventions were designed to address housing needs and improve public health through access to clean water and proper sanitation.
Speaking after the commissioning, Emetu described February as a period he traditionally dedicates to public service in honour of the governor’s birthday. He said the decision to deliver projects rather than personal gifts reflects an approach to governance rooted in measurable impact.
According to him, the administration prioritises visible improvements in people’s daily lives over ceremonial gestures.
The deputy governor explained that he pledged at the start of his tenure to mark the governor’s birthday each year by presenting completed homes to citizens. Saturday’s handover marked the third such presentation since 2024.
He said the initiative aims to restore dignity, strengthen families and ensure governance reaches grassroots communities.
On sanitation, Emetu noted that the borehole and toilet facility align with the state’s policy to reduce and ultimately eradicate open defecation. He stressed that access to hygienic facilities is essential for public health, environmental sustainability and community wellbeing, urging residents to take ownership of the infrastructure by keeping it clean and protected.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, said the projects reflect the broader development agenda of the state government. He thanked the deputy governor for supporting efforts to improve sanitation and reduce open defecation across the state, and called on residents to maintain the facilities to ensure their longevity.
In separate remarks, the Chairman of Amaoba Compound, Elder Sam Idika, and the Women Leader, Mrs. Helen Odo, described the projects as tangible dividends of democracy. They pledged continued support for Governor Otti’s administration and thanked the deputy governor for the gesture.
A former Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief David Ogba Onuoha, praised what he described as a spirit of service and loyalty, urging unity and collaboration in support of the administration.
The member representing Ohafia South in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke, said the interventions demonstrate people-centred governance and thanked residents for their continued support.
Youth and community representatives from Okagwe and Amaoba Compound, Mr. Victor Ume and Mr. Ifeanyi, expressed gratitude for the new home and sanitation facilities, saying the projects would improve living conditions and promote a healthier environment. They pledged to safeguard the facilities and ensure their sustainability for the benefit of the wider community.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local council representatives, underscoring both the symbolic and practical significance of the occasion.
The administration described the projects not as one-off gestures but as part of a sustained effort to translate policy into measurable outcomes.
