Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, Tuesday officially commissioned the 1.2-kilometer Umuokomiri-Obehie ring road project in Ukwa West LGA constructed by the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC).
Governor Otti while commissioning the project recalled that upon assumption of duty, the ASOPADEC general manager sought government’s approval to undertake the project and expressed delight that the project has now become a reality.
The Governor emphasized that ASOPADEC; the state government Agency is a crucial partner in progress aiming to transform Abia’s leadership narrative and highlighted that the appointment of Dr. Onyeike is to drive the new administration’s vision.
The Governor while noting that his administration is not in a race for One hundred days, announced plans for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park(AIIP) to be cited in Owaza.
While noting that the project which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, will include a manufacturing complex, an Oil and Gas refinery, among others, Governor Otti stated that the state government will leverage the presence of Oil and Gas in Owaza to generate electricity for the people , adding that funds for the take off of the project is already available with 90% private sector funding and 10% government involvement.
Governor Otti further revealed that the proposed Industrial park has generated a lot significant interest from the federal government and would be flagged off by the end of September this year.
He assured that his administration would fulfill it’s campaign promises by giving attention to reviving the moribund Ogwe Golden Chicken and addressing concerns in Owaza and other areas.
In an address, the General manager Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ASOPADEC Dr Joshua Onyeike said the 1.2 kilometre Umuokomiri Obehie Road had hitherto been in a deplorable state over 24 years due to neglect by successive adminstrations adding that upon assumption as GM of the Commission, commenced the construction if the road project to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
Onyeike while noting that the road is strategic to Asa as it houses the Iconic Asa Civic center, the ASOPADEC office, High Court and Customary court complexes as well as the Ukwa West Town Planning Authority among other important infrastructure, said that with the completion of the road ends the misery of the hitherto flood prone area which had led to it’s near desolation.
He disclosed that ASOPADEC is carrying it other projects which included water projects in Mkporobe, Umuebulengwu and other areas and thanked the Governor for his vision to infrastructural development and sustainable economic growth of Abia State which had set the state in the part of irreversible growth in line with his rebuilding agenda.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Labour Party Chairman,Ukwa West LGA, Elder I.O Dike and the president General, Asa Development Union, Dr IK Ajuzieogu commended the governor for his vision in appointing their sons into positions of trust highlighted their problems to include the deplorable Ugwuati- Umuekechi-Umuiku-Oberete road.
They called for the revival of the Ogwe Golden Chicken, establishment of modular refinery, establishment of skills acquisition center to enable their children acquire skills among other things, adding that Abia enjoys the pride of place in the socio-political and economic space because of the presence of Oil and Gas in Ukwa West LGA.
