Says full compensation provided for
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Barely three weeks after inaugurating three rehabilitated roads in Aba, Gov. Alex Otti, of Abia State, Wednesday inaugurated two specialist hospitals in Umuahia – Abia State Specialist Hospital Amachara, and Abia Diagnostic Centre, Aba Road, Umuahia.
This is as the Governor also flagged off the construction of a first ever six-lane road project in Abia – Ossah Road expansion project.
Otti said that the renovated and retrofitted specialist hospitals were part of his campaign promises to rebuild the critical health sector in the state.
He said his administration placed high premium on the health of residents, and promised never to allow the health sector to decay again as was the case during the past administration.
On the six-lane Ossah road expansion project which is the major entrance point to Umuahia the capital city, Otti said his desire to give Umuahia a befitting look informed his decision to embark on the project.
He said the three and half kilometer road would be built to taste.
Otti who said that a total of 130 structures were affected, declared that he had made provision for the full payment of compensation to owners of the affected property.
The Governor who said that payment had commenced, assured that those who had not been paid would soon receive their alerts.
He appealed for calm, assuring that no property owner will be shortchanged.
“We are a listening Government, we didn’t want to use force. I have provided for full compensation. Payment has started, and if for any reason anyone has not received alert, he should not bother.
“The money is sitting in the bank, and very soon all the affected persons will be paid.”
Otti appealed for cooperation of the people with the contractor who he said “is in a hurry to deliver the project.”
The Governor disclosed that the road expansion would be expanded to Onuimo boundary community with Imo State to provide a befitting entrance to Abia State.
He said similar expansion would be extended to Imo River boundary at Owerrinta to Umuika-Umuene-Obikabia through to Ogbor Hill as alternate route to Uyo.
This, according to him, is to help decongest traffic flow in Aba commercial city.
In a remark, Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Otti, said that the six-lane road project would unlock the economic potentials of Umuahia, the state capital.
He explained that the road would have drainage on both sides and sidewalk, adding that it will be built with the best of materials to stand the test of time.
In an interview, the traditional ruler of Mgbaja Ossah Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Chiabuotu Emelike, one of the affected communities, expressed delight over the proposed road expansion project.
He said it would bring development to the capital city, hence their support for the proposal.
The royal father, however, noted that the ancestral homes of some of his subjects would be affected but said it was part of sacrifices for development.
Similarly, the traditional ruler of Ukabiri Umuchime Amanso Community, HRH Eze Iheanyichukwu Ezeigbo, commended the Governor for the project, and pledged the support of his subjects.
He expressed delight that payment of compensation had commenced.
In an interview, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, commended Gov Otti for his courage to embark on the laudable project which he said would give Umuahia a befitting look.
Bishop Onuoha who contested for the governorship of the state under the platform of African Democratic Congress, said he was at the flag off of the project to show his support for anything that would help develop the state.
“The era of politics is over. We are here to develop Abia, and this project is very key because it will make us to be proud of our dear state.”
