Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Barely one month after the inauguration of three roads renovated by his administration in Aba, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is set to inaugurate three additional new roads in Aba.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this at a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting, identified the new roads as Umuimo Road, Old Express Road and Udeagbara Road.
The Commissioner further said that two specialist hospitals – Amachara Specialist hospital and Abia Diagnostic Centre (formerly Mecure Specialist Centre), renovated and equipped by the Otti-led administration, were ready for inauguration.
He also said that all three General Hospitals currently under renovation in the three senatorial zones of the state would soon be ready for inauguration.
This, he said, was in compliance with the campaign promises of Gov Alex Otti to change the Abia narrative.
He said that installation of street lights had begun in Umuahia, vowing that every sector of the state will witness rapid transformation.
On the commencement of six-lane Ossah Road expansion project in Umuahia, the Commissioner said that work would not begin until the on-going payment of compensation for the affected structures was completed.
He said that the Otti led administration was responsive and responsible enough not to heed the appeals of the people.
Responding to inquiry on the dilapidated and almost impassable Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, the Commissioner said palliative work would in two weeks time begin on the highway.
He said that the Minister for Works, David Umahi, gave the assurance during his recent visit to the state.
The Commissioner said Government was determined to rid the state of all forms of criminality especially kidnapping for ransom.
He said Government was deliberate in tackling the criminality bedeviling Uturu/ Isuikwuato/Umunneochi/ Lokpa/Okigwe axis.
The Commissioner further said that Governor Alex Otti would before the end of September, lay the foundation for the Abia Industrial Park.
The proposed park, according to him, is situated on a 1000 hectares of land in the oil-rich Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
The park according to him will house a modular refinery, gas plant, real estate, incubation centre, among other facilities.
Kanu said that the project “is one of the signature projects of the Otti-led administration,” which according to him, is aimed at creating more employment opportunities and reducing crime wave.
On whether the project is interrelated with the Enyimba Economic City promoted but unrealised by the immediate-past administration, the Commissioner said both projects had nothing in common.
“Light and darkness have nothing in common. It has nothing to do with Enyimba Economic City.”
He regretted that the Enyimba Economic City was a way the past Government surreptitiously acquired land that Government did not need.
He said that while a whopping 9000 hectares of land was acquired for the Economic City that never took off, only 1000 hectares were acquired for the industrial park.
The Commissioner said that Gov. Otti was prepared to transform Abia State from obscurity to prominence.
Adding his voice, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (retd.), said that security had started improving across the state.
He acknowledged that the recent demolition of shanties being used as hideouts by criminals at Lokpanta Regional Cattle market, had paid off.
