Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
It was a jubilation galore Wednesday in Abia State as Gov. Alex Otti flagged off the construction of the 67 kilometer Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia road.
Residents trooped out in their numbers to cheer the Governor and his entourage.
Speaking at Umuyota/Umuahia section of the road, Otti said the intervention was in keeping with his campaign promises.
Gov. Otti who expressed concern over the deplorable condition of roads in the state, said the project was in keeping with his campaign promises to re-set Abia.
Otti said that the project was expected to be delivered in six months, adding that his administration is in a hurry to refix the state.
“When we were campaigning, we told you clearly that we were going to fix Abia State. We told you to weep no more that help was on the way.
“That’s what we are keeping today. We have come to wipe away tears of many years.”
Otti said the project and others would go on despite the hard economic situation in the country.
“No matter the state of the economy, we will keep to our promises. We want our people to move on a motorable roads.
“We want our people living outside the state to visit home more frequently and help stimulate the local economy. We want farm produce to be evacuated from rural communities on good roads.”
Otti solicited the cooperation and continued support of the people, assuring that his administration is poised to transform the state.
The Governor warned contractors handling the projects to deliver according to specifications, saying he will not accept any substandard job.
He said he would be visiting the roads with his personal measuring tapes to ensure the jobs are done according to the terms of agreement.
He explained that he decided to divide the project into three sections and award them to three different contractors to ensure speedy execution.
“We divided the project into three sections and engaged three reputable construction firms because we are in a hurry to recover the lost time. We want the project completed as quickly as possible.
“We won’t accept anyhow job. You will see me with my tape to measure what you have done. There will be no hanky panky job.”
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Works, Otumchere Oti, an Engineer, said the Umuahia-Uzuakoli section of the road would be dualised to enhance free flow of traffic in and out of the state capital.
He said the Governor had set the foundation for a new Abia, assuring that infrastructural development will continue with speed in all parts of the state.
