PRESIDENCY HAILS OTTI’S ABIA TRANSFORMATION AS RENEWED HOPE TEAM TOURS PROJECTS
The Presidency has commended the transformational projects being executed in Abia State under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, describing the achievements recorded within the past three years as impressive, impactful, and development-driven.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Information, Government House Umuahia, Mr. Divine Nwankwo, and made available through his official Facebook page.
Speaking to journalists after a tour of federal and state government projects across Abia State on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, said the state was witnessing remarkable development under Governor Otti’s administration.
“It is truly impressive to see the level of transformation taking place in Abia. From road infrastructure and transportation to housing and other critical facilities, the progress achieved within three years is commendable.
“Even the electrification project along the 33-kilometre Ohafia stretch demonstrates the governor’s commitment to providing the critical infrastructure required for sustainable development.
“For many years, Abia lacked the level of infrastructure advancement needed for meaningful growth. Today, there is a governor focused on the fundamentals of governance, working with stakeholders and collaborating effectively with the Federal Government despite belonging to a different political party,” Dare said.
He praised the cordial relationship between the Abia State Government and the Federal Government, stressing that development should take precedence over partisan interests.
“When it comes to governance, collaboration is key. Development should not be driven by party affiliations. Excessive partisan politics often hinders progress and ultimately affects the people.
“What we have seen in Abia is a productive partnership between the state and the Federal Government. The level of development across sectors, including infrastructure and human capital development, is impressive. We have also seen the ongoing airport project being pursued through this collaboration,” he added.
The Renewed Hope Media Team was conducted around the project sites by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, and the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti.
They explained that the 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, which was previously impassable, was fully funded and reconstructed by the Abia State Government.
According to them, the project has significantly improved connectivity across several local government areas in Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial Districts.
The commissioners further stated that the road links several agrarian communities to the state capital and is equipped with streetlights, in line with the administration’s road infrastructure policy.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, disclosed that the state government was close to restoring electricity to communities in Ohafia that had been without power for eight years due to vandalism.
He revealed that the government had completed a 20-kilometre 33KV power line from Ihechiowa in Arochukwu to Ebem in Ohafia, terminating at a newly installed 7.5MVA injection substation. He added that final installations were underway to restore electricity across Ohafia Local Government Area.
The commissioner further disclosed that the state government was finalising arrangements to acquire a majority stake in the Abia operations of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). According to him, the move would enable the government to extend stable electricity supply to the remaining eight local government areas not currently served by Geometric Power in Aba.
On housing development, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, said the recently flagged-off Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia represents a major federal intervention aimed at addressing housing challenges in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, recalled the deplorable condition of the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Abiriba–Ohafia Road before its reconstruction, noting that it had remained in disrepair for nearly two decades before Governor Otti’s intervention.
Projects inspected during the tour included the three sections of the 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, the four-lane Tower–Onuimo Road, now renamed Dr. Uma Ukpai Road, and the newly constructed Omenuko Bridge.
Other projects visited were the 30-kilometre Ozuabam–Ndiokereke–Amuvi Arochukwu Road, the newly flagged-off Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia, the Renewed Hope Housing Estate at Onu-Inyang, Bende, and the recently commissioned Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.
Also present during the tour were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa; the Senior Special Assistant on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwogbe; the Director-General of the Abia State Strategic Communication Bureau, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka; the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu; the State Director of Information, Lady Chika Orji-Nwoke; and other senior government officials.
