FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti says the ongoing reconstruction and expansion of Port Harcourt road, Aba being handled by Julius Berger Construction Company will be completed and ready for commissioning by 29th May this year.
Governor Otti disclosed this while speaking at the monthly media briefing tagged “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians”. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to driving massive infrastructural development, saying that his Government is in a hurry to transform all sectors of the State’s economy.
“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, the four years is over and you will be wondering what happened and that’s why, even before we were sworn in, we brought Julius Berger to Port Harcourt road and they started the road design.
“Some people didn’t understand what we were doing. They taught we were in a hurry to take over but we were simply trying to maximize time”, Gov. Otti explained.
The Governor, who noted that the ongoing expansion of Library Avenue popularly known as (Bank road) will be completed before the end of March, 2025, also noted that work is progressing at various project sites across the State including the recently flagged-off Omenuko bridge. He announced that work will commence at Owaza road in Ukwa West LGA as he would be flagging off the reconstruction of the road by next week.
On Power, Governor Otti said a lot is being done to increase power availability and stability across the State as arrangements are being perfected in that regards.
On security, the State Chief Executive acknowledged appreciable level of peace and security across the State as a result of proactive measures put in place by the combined security architecture of the State.
While responding to a question on why he has been working from his private home instead of renovating and retrofitting the Government House, Umuahia in Umuahia that was looted and rendered unusable by appointees of the immediate past administration, Governor Otti insisted that his priorities are delivering results to Abians and not where he operates from.
“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 Local Government Areas in Abia State.
“It is not as important as ensuring that Aba and Umuahia particularly are kept clean on a 24 hour, seven days basis. 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 state of emergency on. 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 the things that I mentioned earlier,” Gov. Otti 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 of power would be fixed in due course, 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, health, environment and education.
“I can assure you that in no distance time, since we have taken care of those important areas, we’ll come here and fix it (Government House). Gov. Otti stated.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, FIC Umuahia Abia State
07 – 03 – 2025.
