Abia State Government has announced the completion of three major road projects that would soon be commissioned as part of the ongoing infrastructure renewal programme of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Otti.
Prince Kanu said that the completed projects were among the 29 roads currently under contract in the state and include the 2.213-kilometre Umuogo-Nsukwe Ring Road, the 5.95-kilometre dualisation of Onuimo Bridge–Abia Tower Road, and the 11.5-kilometre expansion and reconstruction of the Nunya–Eluama Road.
The Commissioner further revealed that the state government has also recorded progress under its direct labour initiative, noting that five additional roads had recently been completed out of the 51 roads being handled through the arrangement.
According to him, the completed direct labour projects include the maintenance of failed sections of the Osisioma Flyover covering 600 metres, rehabilitation of failed portions of the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway leading to the Ugwunagbo Local Government Secretariat spanning 5.2 kilometres, as well as the maintenance and asphalt overlay of the 2.7-kilometre Adaelu Road from Osisioma Junction to Mopol Base in Aba.
He listed others to include; the construction of the 1.03-kilometre Oberete-Umuopara Road in Obingwa Local Government Area and the 2.66-kilometre road linking Geometric Power to Guineas Junction in Aba.
On environmental management, Prince Kanu announced that the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has commenced full enforcement of the use of waste bins in all commercial vehicles across the state to promote cleanliness and proper waste disposal habits among passengers.
He noted that the agency’s sustained efforts has contributed significantly to Abia’s growing reputation as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria.
The commissioner also disclosed that Governor Otti recently paid a courtesy visit to the new World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr Matthews Verghis, in Abuja, as part of efforts to strengthen existing partnerships between the Abia State Government and the World Bank.
He explained that the visit provided an opportunity for both parties to review ongoing collaborative programmes and explore new areas of partnership capable of accelerating development in the state.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix, said the Executive Council appreciated the governor’s engagement with the World Bank Country Director and affirmed that discussions would ensure that the state continues to benefit from World Bank-supported programmes.
She named sectors of continuous partnership with the world Bank to include Energy, education, agriculture,ICT among others, noting that the areas align with the vision of the Governor.
Also speaking, the General Manager of ASEPA, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke, clarified that the agency’s enforcement drive was not aimed at revenue generation but at ensuring compliance with environmental laws.
He disclosed that ASEPA is working towards providing public waste bins in areas where they were lacking and urged residents to continue supporting the environmental policies of the Otti led administration.
