Upon assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Abia State on May 19, 2023, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, swung into action to revive, retrofit, rejuvenate, and reposition Aba, the Enyimba City, to its former glory in all its infrastructural fronts. Governor Otti placed infrastructural development at the forefront of his administration’s agenda. In the 19 months of his administration, numerous road projects have been executed in Aba, including the 6.8 kilometers Port Harcourt Road, contracted to construction giant Julius Berger, which is over 85 percent complete. Other projects include Old Court Road, Kent Road, and Ehi Road, commissioned for use on May 24, 2024. Work is progressing smoothly on Ohanku Road, Ndoki Road, and the 3.5 kilometers Osisioma-Ekeakpara Road.
Other roads, including University Road, Green Avenue, and College Road, were commissioned on May 29, 2024, where the governor pledged to transform the commercial capital of the state into a modern, functional city.
In line with Governor Otti’s infrastructural development agenda, aimed at boosting the economy of the state and enhancing both intra- and inter-connectivity, the governor commissioned Obiara Road in Aba, which was built with a double drainage system and solar-powered street lights.
Furthermore, on December 13, 2024, Governor Otti officially commissioned three roads in Aba, including 1.6 kilometers Cemetery Road Phase 2, 2.7 kilometers Umuocham Road, and 1.6 kilometers Umule Road. During the event, the governor expressed his satisfaction with the strides his administration has made in intra-city road networks over the past 18 months, adding that he is intentional in responding to the infrastructural challenges of Aba.
The governor has also enhanced the aesthetic nature of Enyimba City by constructing befitting roundabouts with waterfalls at Bata Junction, Azikiwe by Asa Road, and many others that are ongoing across Aba.
In addition, all junctions along Aba Owerri Road up to Number 1 are now connected to functional solar-powered streetlights and traffic lights, aimed at reducing accidents, even in the darkest of nights. The administration has also built modern CNG bus stops at all bus stops along Aba Owerri Road, with 85 percent completion.
Aba, popularly known as the commercial nerve center and distinguished by the proliferation of industrialists from the South-East, harbors a vision of industrialization epitomized by the “Made-in-Aba” brand. However, the realization of Aba’s industrial potential was hampered by the absence of quality, uninterrupted power supply—an essential ingredient to drive innovation and transform Aba into a thriving industrial hub. This was until Dr. Alex Otti took power, and the Geometric Power Plant was commissioned, changing the story.
During the commissioning, after 20 years of back-and-forth, on February 26, 2024, Governor Otti said: “As a leader in the private sector many years ago, and now as the governor of the state, I consider the Geometric Integrated Power Project to be very special and dear to my heart because of the immense potential it holds for the economic and social rejuvenation of Aba as a preferred destination for enterprise growth, family life, and leisure.” Since then, Aba has witnessed about a 15 percent increase in access to quality and uninterrupted electricity supply.
This, together with the Aba Industrial Development Project, has been a cornerstone of Otti’s economic transformation. Small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Aba have grown by over 20%.
Governor Otti has remained committed, since assumption of office, to bringing Aba to an enviable global destination and strategic trading hub in West Africa. On August 9, 2024, he flagged off the remodeling of Ekeoha Market, where he said, “Rebuilding Aba is difficult, but necessary.”
