Governor Alex Otti of AbIa State has said that the his administration is determined to address the perennial flooding challenges around the Obohia Road area in Aba.
Governor Otti who stated this during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Aba explained that the reconstruction of Obohia Road would include the construction of drainage channels to redirect storm water from the road, Port Harcourt Road and adjoining areas into the Aba River.
According to the governor, the measure is intended to prevent flood water from flowing into a nearby borrow pit that had become an environmental hazard, especially during the rainy season.
“There is a pond (borrow pit) here which constitutes an environmental hazard, particularly when it rains.
“It is for this reason that we designed the road to include channels that will direct storm water from Obohia Road, Port Harcourt Road and other adjoining roads into Aba River”, he said.
Governor Otti added that once the project is completed, the borrow pit would no longer be useful adding that the state government would reclaim the land for productive use.
He further urged residents to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.
The governor who also inspected other road projects in Aba, including Umuchichi Road off Okpulor Umuobo Road, Afule Road off Okpulo Umuobo Road, Nigerian Breweries Road and Eche Road, assured traders that the state government will reconstruct the Afor Ule Market to provide a more conducive environment for them as well as improve road infrastructure around the area.
Governor Otti said that the market reconstruction, which would be completed within one year, would be carried out in phases to allow traders to continue their businesses during the exercise.
According to him, the project is aimed at ensuring that every trader has a comfortable place to carry out trading activities.
He also announced that the Afor Ule Road would be reconstructed to make it motorable for commuters and other road users.
Governor Otti frowned at the use of roadsides for trading activities and warned that the state government would no longer tolerate trading on major roads.
