Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has flagged off the reconstruction of the 4.32-kilometer Orpet-Umuafai-Lodu-Ahiaeke Road and the 3.79-kilometer Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende Road on Umuahia North LGA,as part of efforts towards transforming the States Capital City.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Ahieke Ndume, Governor Otti who described the projects as more than just road construction, emphasized that the road would on completion in Nine months, reshape the Umuahia ecosystem, boost economic activities, and improve the quality of life for residents.
According to the Governor, his administration’s long-term objective is to make Umuahia a city that holistically supports the dreams of it’s residents in Housing, Hospitality, Education, Recreation, Health, and Transportation.
He further noted that beyond reviving existing infrastructure, the road projects would create new employment and income-generating opportunities for thousands of Abians engaged in agriculture, real estate, hospitality, financial services, and technology sectors.
Governor Otti assured that his administrations investments would not only enhance social infrastructure but also increase the city’s appeal as a viable business and residential hub, noting that the completion of the roads would significantly end the daily hassles of thousands of people who ply them as they go about their regular social and economic activities.
“We are not just building roads, we are expanding the Umuahia Ecosystem and supporting entrepreneurs and their families as well as lessening the economic burden of fixed income earners”, Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti used the occasion to announce plans to launch a State-wide Urban Mass Transit Initiative in the coming months and explained that the initiative, would improve mobility within Umuahia, Aba, and other major towns as well as ensure cost efficiency and safety for passengers.
According to the Governor, the Mass Transit System would be driven by experienced Private Sector players to ensure operational efficiency and prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He said that the buses, powered by clean energy sources, will be integrated into the new transport infrastructure, including modern bus terminals and road networks, to enhance intra- and inter-city movement.
“The target is to seamlessly move tens of thousands of people from one part of the town to another, or across different locations of the state at minimal cost.
“The modern bus terminals and shelters currently on construction and the superior quality road networks in the city shall form the infrastructure backbone for the new intra and inter city transport regime in Abia”, Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti who noted that his administration is raising the Governance bar in Abia, emphasized that he had successfully balanced infrastructure development with prompt payment of civil servants and retirees, proving that responsible leadership could deliver on multiple fronts without excuses.
“What we have come to do is to raise the governance bar so high that there shall be no room for little thinkers and self seeking actors in our political space when we are done”, he said.
The Governor expressed confidence that in nine months, when the newly flagged-off roads are commissioned, the transformation of Umuahia would be even more evident and urged citizens to fulfill their tax obligations to support ongoing projects.
In response to a request from the Member representing Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency, Hon Obi Aguocha, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Works to scope the Ofeke-Ahiaeke-Ndume Road and make arrangements for its inclusion in the budget through a supplementary appropriation request to the House of Assemblyb for possible construction.
In an interview with Journalists, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, expressed delight over the rehabilitation of the road adding that it would boost socioeconomic development in the area.
Nmeregini highlighted that the rehabilitation of the road is being executed in fulfillment of the Governor’s campaign promise to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
He said that the importance of the road could not be over emphasised as it runs through an industrial area and a suburban area of the Capital Territory of the State, which is in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
“This road is going to trigger a whole lot of socioeconomic activities and we are so happy. The people of Ndume are happy, the people of Ibeku are happy,the people of Umuana, the host community are so happy,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Works Mr Otumchere Otti while noting that the deplorable nature of the roads have caused untold hardship to road users in addition to its negative impact on the economic lives of the people, said the road reconstruction marks the beginning of a new era for residents and businesses along the areas.
In separate interviews with National Ambassador, Member Representing Isialangwa North State Constituency, Chief Ugochukwu Collins, the President General, Ndume Otuka Federated, Chief John Onyeiro and some artisans at the Umuahia Timber Industrial Market, including Mr Raphael Ihefo and Mr Nnamdi Okwuazu, commended the Governor for his determination to improve connectivity in the area.
They described the road as a welcome development adding that the deplorable state of the road had made it difficult for trucks to move goods in and out of the market.
They also said that the rehabilitation of the road would alleviate the suffering of the people in the area and would greatly impact businesses positively.
