Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to drive massive infrastructural development, emphasizing that his Government is in a hurry to transform all sectors of the State’s economy.
Governor Otti made this known, Friday, at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, during the March Edition of the Monthly Media Parley tagged ;”Governor Otti Speaks to Abians”.
The Governor who stressed that his administration is operating with a sense of urgency said; “Yes we don’t have time. We are in a hurry so we have to do so many things at the same time.
“Before you know it four years is over and you will be wondering what happened and that’s why, even before we were sworn in, we bright Julius Berger to Port Harcourt road and they started designing.
“Some people didn’t understand what we are doing. They taught we were in a hurry to take over but we were simply trying to maximize time“, he explained.
Governor Otti who used the opportunity to address concerns about his absence from the Government House Umuahia, insisted that his priority is delivering results to Abians and not his place of residence.
“You are worried that I am not operating from here, I don’t think you should worry about that. The important thing is that I’m operating.
“Abians want to see activities not where their Governor is staying. Where I live is not as important as having roads in Aba and Umuahia and other other Local Government Areas in Abia.
“It is not ias important as ensuring that Aba and Umuahia particularly were kept clean on a 24 hour seven days a week basics, it is not as important as ensuring that our people have good Hospitals to go to.
“It is not as important as ensuring that our schools are fixed. Those were the area I declared emergency, I didn’t declare emergency on Government House and where the Governor will live.
“So what the issue is, is that this Government House is important but not as important as some of those things that I mentioned earlier“, he stated.
The Governor further explained that his decision to delay moving into the Government House was based on careful resource allocation, and reassured Abians that the State’s seat is power would be fixed in due time, not just for his administration but for future Governors.
“When I inspected both the Governor’s Lodge and the Governor’s Office, they were in terrible states of disrepair, vandalized and looted.
“Renovating them requires significant funds, but I considered it more urgent to channel those resources into infrastructure, security, and education.
“I can assure you that in no distance time, since we we have taken care of those important areas, we’ll come here and fix it (Government House).
“Our goal is to make Abia livable for all, not just for the current government but for generations to come. We will do what needs to be done,” he stated.
Speaking on the financial strategy behind his numerous projects, Governor Otti described it as his “trade secret,” which he attributed to Financial Engineering and strategic planning.
According to him, his administration’s track record and credibility have enabled it to secure major infrastructural projects without upfront payments.
“When you are able to plan and you are also able to encash your goodwill, then you will get things done. It is when you have a track record that lets people believe that what you say, you will do.
“I was able to call Julius Berger and say start work without giving them a dime. At least I’m not the one saying this, the Former Managing Director who left office on December 1, when he was introducing his successor to me, I brought him to Abia here and he confessed that this was the first time since the 60s that a State Government would hire them, get then to flag off a road and them to mobile to site, start work without receiving a dime”, Governor Otti revealed.
He further disclosed that not only did his administration meet the agreed payment schedule, but it also exceeded expectations by paying the contractor faster than agreed upon.
“That is what track record does. Tomorrow, if I call them for another job, they will be willing to start immediately“, Governor Otti added.
The Governor who used the opportunity to reel out his administration’s strides in various sectors of the state economy, revealed that the ongoing reconstruction of Port Harcourt road Aba being handled by Julius Berger would be completed and ready for commissioning before 29th May.
He announced that the flag off ceremony for the construction of the Owaza Road in Ukwa West LGA would commence next week adding hat the ongoing expansion of Library Avenue road will be completed before the end of this Month.
