The Executive Secretary and National Coordinator of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, along with other members of the NEITI Board, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for what they described as remarkable strides in infrastructure development and prudent use of public resources.
Dr. Orji, who led a delegation of board members on a tour of projects executed by the Otti administration, expressed satisfaction with the quality and scope of work, particularly on access roads and market infrastructure in Aba, the commercial hub of the South East.
Speaking with journalists after inspecting the reconstructed Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Dr. Orji said the tour followed the conclusion of a retreat of the NEITI Board and Management in Umuahia, the State Capital.
“We are not politicians; we are technocrats, and the connection between the work we do and what we have seen is clear.
“The Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative is about encouraging governments at all levels to use revenues from oil, gas, and mining to promote national development and reduce poverty.
“When you get money from oil, gas, and mining, what did you use it to do? How did you deploy it to connect with the people? I have seen that the revenues from oil, gas, and mining are working in Abia State at the moment”, he said…
Dr. Orji noted that as an oil-producing State, Abia has received Federal allocations which, from evidence on ground, are being channelled into impactful infrastructure and social services.
“The Governor of Abia State has done well, in my view. I’ve seen and this is not speculation, where I’m standing now is Port Harcourt Road, which I learned the President might be coming to commission anytime soon.
“The last time I was here, I wept. The last meaningful government connection with this city, which I know extremely well, was during the Sam Mbakwe era. We drove around Ariaria, and I saw the citizens’ reaction to the government of Dr. Alex Otti. All I can say is that I am speechless, profoundly delighted, and proud of what I have seen in the last two years”, he added.
Also, NEITI’s Alternate Chairman and representative of the North Central zone on the board, Ambassador Sunday Adoli equally praised Governor Otti’s development efforts.
“The Governor is doing quite well. The resources he is getting are being translated into the practical development of the state. Permit me to say that he is performing very well.
“Like you know, our principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is doing a very good job for the country. He thinks Nigeria, walks Nigeria. He is doing his best and deserves all the support. I am happy that the Governor (Otti) has a lot of regard for him, ranging from what he told me and told us publicly and that is how collaboration should be’, Adoli noted.
Other NEITI board members who spoke during the tour included Mr. Dele Ayanleke, President of the Miners Association of Nigeria; Dr. Erisa Danladi, representative of civil society, and Dr. Loveth Ononuga, who represents the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on the board.
They collectively lauded Governor Otti for adopting a people-centered governance approach, urging him to sustain the momentum.
The team visited several roads, streets, and markets including Port Harcourt Road, Aba-Owerri Road, Emelogu Street, and the Ariaria International Market, among others.
