The newly reconstructed 3.5 kilometer six-lane Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, previously known as Ossah Road has been commissioned.
The ceremony which was performed by a former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe marks the culmination of the project initiated in September 2023 by the present administration, with the aim of transforming Umuahia, the state Capital and enhancing aesthetics and infrastructure in the city.
Speaking during the event held at the Okpara Square Umuahia, Governor Otti who renamed the road after an Abia Son and late former Military Head of state, Gen Aguiyi Ironsi, commended the timely completion of the project.
The Governor who recounted the challenges faced during the planning stages, noted that despite the initial discouragement from colleagues his administration remained determined in it’s commitment to transform the entire landscape of the state capital to make it look like a proper Capital City.
“I remember when we are sworn in one of the first things that I wanted to do was to expand this road and make it look like an approach to the state capital.
“Unfortunately by the time I started engaging with my colleagues, alot of them wanted to discourage me, they said it was going to be very difficult and that the compensation needed to be paid was going to be huge.
“Besides, they said that there was some people who were going to raise serious resistance to moving their properties backwards.
“Some of them I was told had buried their great grand father’s and grand father’s around this axis and that it was going to be an anathema to ask them to exhume the bodies of those legends and rebury them so that I shouldn’t even try.
“I thought about it and said no, I must try” Otti said.
According to the Governor, discussions with stakeholders of the community revealed a prevailing issue of trust as past governments had acquired properties with promises of compensation that were never fulfilled.
Governor Otti pointed out that the state government initially identified about one hundred and thirty five buildings for demolition and paid One Hundred Percent compensation before the commencement of the project.
“Everyone, whose property was affected received 100% of their compensation before the programme commenced.
“I am happy to report that rather than using Police and Army to get those buildings out, the people of Ossah actually removed their building themselves”, he noted.
The Governor used the opportunity to express gratitude to the Eziama na Mgbaja Ossah Community for the cooperation and support given to the Ministry of Works as well as the Contractor which lead to the timely realization of the project.
In his speech on behalf of the Abia Legislative Caucus, the Member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe while applauding the landmark achievements of the Governor, likened the Governor’s achievement in one year to what could have been achieved in 24 years under the past leadership.
“We at the National Assembly are happy with you and we say that the only reward for hardwork is more work”.
The Commissioner For Works, Engr Otumchere Oti in his remarks, said the economic importance of the road can not be overemphasized as it will make for easy flow of traffic, improve aesthetics of the area, enhance socio- economic activities by extension the internally revenue generation of the state.
He appreciated the contractor for delivering a quality job within a record time, adding that the road is equipped with solar street lights, road markings and drainages on both sides of the road to ensure durability.
In his speech, the Mayor of Umuahia north LGA Chief Victor Ikeji describing the project as unprecedented and thanked Governor Otti for not only concentrating his developmental strides at the city center but also empowering the mayors to extend same at the grassroot level.
In his remarks, the traditional Ruler of Eziama na Mgbaja Ossah Autonomous Community, Eze Chiabuotu Emelike thanked the Governor for the project which he said has opened the area for greater economic opportunities, and described the project as the beginning of greater things for the people.
The event also feature the unveiling of the reconstructed Micheal Okpara statue, Commissioning of the Okpara Square Fountain as well as the flag off of the 2nd Phase of the Abia Urban Renewal And Public Transport Project (Umuahia Central Bus Terminal).
