Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has commissioned a series of road projects across Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas, as part of activities marking his third anniversary in office.
During the commissioning ceremonies, Governor Otti renamed the 3.8 -kilometer Ahiaeke–Okwuta–Bende Road as the J.O.J Okezie Road in honour of the late J.O.J Okezie, for his notable contributions to public service and community development in the state.
The governor also renamed the dualized 6-Kilometer Tower–Onuimo Road as Uma Ukpai Way in honour of the spiritual impact and contributions of the revered cleric, late Rev Dr Uma Ukpai, for his contributions in evangelism, faith, leadership and humanitarian outreach.
The projects commissioned by the governor include 4.3 kilometer Orpet–Umuafai–Lodu–Ahiaeke–Ndume Road; Ahiaeke–Okwuta–Bende Road (now J.O.J Okezie Road); Madona-Enyiukwu -Afara Ring Road, the 300 -meters Justice Okoroafor Close Afara and new reconstructed and expanded Library Avenue road, all in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Others are the 450 -meters Umubioko–Amakama Road; Nsukwe–Umuogo Road and 6-kilometer Tower–Onuimo Road (now Uma Ukpai Way) in Umuahia South Local Government Area.
Speaking at various locations during the commissioning exercise, Governor Otti expressed appreciation to residents of the benefiting communities for their patience and resilience during the period of reconstruction.
The governor said the decision to rename the roads was a symbolic gesture to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to society.
“So what we have come here today is to celebrate the completion of this road. We also want to celebrate our fathers in this state who are no more”, he stated.
On the Tower–Onuimo Road, Governor Otti commended Craneburg Construction Company for the quality of work delivered, noting that the road was designed to improve traffic flow and enhance the aesthetic appeal of entry points into the state.
He added that the Owerrinta -Umuikaa road and other entry points into the state are also undergoing reconstruction and expansion.
“The whole idea is that when you get into Abia state, you will be greeted by good roads. You will know that you have entered Abia state.
“So I am happy that this has been completed, and completed very well, lined up with street lights, markings, drainage on both sides. So this is guaranteed to last a very long time”, he said.
Governor Otti noted that the Umuogo Nsukwe Road had previously been threatened by severe erosion and expressed satisfaction with the quality of the construction and the accompanying erosion control measures.
The Governor further stated that other roads constructed and rehabilitated in Umuahia North and Umuahia South Local Government Areas would significantly enhance development across the areas, with a positive multiplier effect on socio-economic growth.
He also assured that all road projects executed by his administration are delivered to the highest standards and are equipped with 24-hour solar-powered street lighting.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Otumchere Oti, said the roads were previously in deplorable condition before the intervention of the present administration.
He particularly highlighted the poor state of the Orpet–Umuafai–Ahiaeke Road and the Ahiaeke–Okwuta–Bende Road, commending the Governor for prioritising their reconstruction.
According to him, the Tower–Onuimo Road, being a federal road, was also upgraded and dualised on the Governor’s directive.
“You said we should dualise the road. And today the road has been dualised. It is a 6-kilometre road.
“One thing about this road is that this road is a federal road. But thank God we have a Governor, who does not know the distinction between a state road and a federal road, provided the construction of the road will benefit the people of other state”, he stated.
In their separate remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Augustine Okezie, and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike, commended Governor Otti for what they described as his “rescue mission” in the state.
They expressed appreciation to the governor for his administration’s interventions and assured him that the people would reciprocate his efforts with continued support in the forthcoming general elections.
