Governor Alex Otti of Abia state will tomorrow, flag off the comprehensive reconstruction of the 6.8-kilometre Port Harcourt Road in Aba, a significant project that will be executed by the renowned Julius Berger Construction Company.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this while briefing Newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting chaired by Governor Otti.
Prince Kanu who underscored the long-standing state of disrepair of the Port Harcourt road, commended Governor Otti for achieving the milestone within four months of his tenure and emphasized that previous administrations had been unable to accomplish such a feat.
He said; “Port Harcourt Road is a very important road that has not been in use for upward of 15 years or more.
“If you recall, immediately after his election and victory at the polls, even before he was sworn in, Governor Otti took a tour of that road with the MD of Julius Berger and the management.
“Dr Otti came to power prepared and has remained focused. He knows what he came to do, that is the reason in under four months of taking over as governor of the state, he has done what previous administrations could not do”.
He also revealed that various other roads in Aba, including Umuimo, Udeagbala, MCC, and Old Express, are ready for commissioning with the “Operation Zero Pothole” initiative in Umuahia making steady progress, adding that the demolition work on the Ossah-Abia Tower expansion project has reached an impressive 80% completion.
The Information Commissioner while noting that Aba and Umuahia have been transformed into active construction sites, said Asphalt will be laid on Uzuakoli Road, while the Alayi-Ozuitem Road has been scheduled for rehabilitation.
Addressing the issue of street trading, the Information Commissioner conveyed the state government’s firm stance against the practice, especially in Aba, the commercial hub and stated that Government will not allow the trend to continue as the committee in charge would henceforth ensure strict compliance.
Prince Kanu highlighted the Aba International Trade Fair, which would commence tomorrow, as a platform to unite small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to showcase the state’s potential to the world adding that the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ACCIMA) is collaborating with the government to ensure the event’s success.
He revealed that following Abia’s participation in the Abuja Trade Fair, the state has been commissioned to supply combat boots to the Nigerian Police Force.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday said that his ministry is working with EDDC to restore light to all government establishments that were previously disconnected from the national grid due to non-payment of electricity bills.
Mr Monday noted that the effort has led to the reconnection of some government establishments while private businesses will also benefit from the gesture to boost businesses in the state.
He disclosed that government is working out modalities for the powering of public schools and communities with renewable energy, adding that efforts are in top gear to get the Abia state House of Assembly to sign into law the electricity law already assented to which grants states power to generate, transmit and distribute power.
In her contribution, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr( Mrs) Betty Obasi said a lot of activities have been mapped out to celebrate the 2023 World Sight Day with the theme ” Loving your eyes at your place of work” tomorrow, Thursday 12th.
She said the event will feature free eye tests, distribution of free eyeglasses even as a vision corridor has been erected in some motor parks, worker’s secretariat and other public places as a way of reaching out to the public.
Dr (Mrs) Obasi said that the administration is committed to upgrading health facilities in the state to a world-class standard, noting that the newly retrofitted eye centre at the Abia Specialist Hospital Umuahia has been repositioned to serve the people better.
