Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has said that the state government is determined to build roads that will enhance trade and commerce in the state.
Governor Otti stated this on Sunday during the inauguration of the MCC/Old Express Road in Aba.
The Governor who also inaugurated the Udeagbala and Umuimo Roads in Aba, said that the state government considers building good quality roads as not only critical to improving vehicular movement, but to give businesses the enablement to thrive.
He also said that the government had awarded contracts for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of some roads that were important to economic development.
“We cannot drive the kind of economic rejuvenation that we seek if our most important roads are in bad shape,” Otti added.
According to him, the reconstructed road was a testament that the government had began a holistic restoration of Aba and the state at large.
Otti said that “Aba is open for business” and called on potential investors to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that abound in the state.
“Our motivation in government is to create the right environment for individuals to live out the full expression of their dreams,
“We are also interested in supporting the growth of enterprises and setting up a safe haven for legitimately profitable and sustainable investments,” he said.
Otti restated the government’s commitment to evolving programmes and policies that would facilitate creation of best investment paths and partnerships which would further encourage government to serve the people better.
He further said that the government had taken steps to permanently address the issue of perennial flooding in Aba.
Otti said that the government had awarded contracts for the reconstruction of economically important roads in the local government areas (LGAs)
“We are working very hard to reconstruct several other roads in about nine LGAs through a special multilateral funding arrangement that gives the state a pathway to fix roads to boost agriculture productivity and produce marketing,” he added.
Also, the President of Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Jerry Kalu, commended the government for its efforts towards rebuilding Abia.
Kalu said that the rebuilding agenda of the present administration would go a long in boosting socioeconomic growth in the state.
Earlier, the Director of China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Mr Eric Shen, thanked the state government and host community for their support which contributed to the successful completion of the road project.
Shen said that the had been constructed with the highest engineering design and specifications to stand the test of time.
He described the road as vital tool for boosting socioeconomic development and added that the road would greatly improve the living standard of the residents.
In his contribution,the Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Oti, said that the present administration was desirous to change the narrative of the state in the area of good road network and infrastructure.
Oti said that the newly reconstructed MCC Old Express, Udeagbala and Umuimo Roads in Aba were structurally designed using the best specifications in road construction, with street lights and drainages.
He urged the residents to desist from engaging in activities that could destroy the serviceability of the roads.
