…Gives reasons for prioritising road rehabilitation
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti, has vowed to re-invent Abia State and revive its wobbling economy in the shortest possible time through massive infrastructural development.
The Governor who made the vow Wednesday, while flagging off the reconstruction of the 30-kilometre Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam Road, regretted that previous administrations allowed some economically viable roads in the state to decay.
He, however, said his administration came on board to rescue and fix the state which had suffered from decades of dilapidation due to misgovernance.
The 30-kilometer road is the shortest route to Arochukwu through Abam, a major food basket in the state.
Speaking at the joyful ceremony, Otti said that the flag off “coming just weeks after work began on the 67-kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road, gives the clear message that no part of the state shall be left behind in our push to expand the frontiers of economic and social opportunities for individuals, families and businesses.”
Otti regretted that many businesses left the state due to dilapidation of road and other critical infrastructure needed to support their operations.
He, however, assured that Abia would regain its enviable position in the economic map of the country.
“The cost of this neglect on the economy of the State in terms of lost opportunities cannot be quantified. Farmers in rural communities found it difficult to move their produce to the markets leading to heavy post-harvest losses.
“Most painfully, businessmen and women from different parts of Nigeria and the West African sub-region who had relied on markets in Aba for supplies quickly took their patronage to other places. With business returns plummeting, several commercial entities that previously employed thousands of our people quietly closed shops or relocated.”
Governor Otti said he prioritised road infrastructure as a quick way to revive the state’s economy.
“As a government that made a covenant to bring succour to the people after many years of frustrations, we knew that road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance must be made major priorities long before we took our oath of office.
“Starting with some of the most strategic roads in Aba and Umuahia, we are now expanding the scope to cover roads that connect our agricultural zones to the urban areas in order to boost the State’s agricultural output and expand our economic corridors to create jobs for thousands of our young people while taming rural-urban migration.”
Otti said the project would be completed in 12 months.
“The Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam Road will on completion in about 12 months, revive the agricultural and allied business ecosystem within several communities in Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs and open an expanded economic window for those seeking to tap into the promises of the New Abia by investing here.
“Fixing this road simultaneously with the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road is a strategic initiative to guarantee that the stretch of road from this axis to Umuahia and Aba is in optimal shape, making the movement of people, agro and allied commodities from the northern part of the State to the urban centres hassle-free.
“The reconstruction of these roads will also improve the social dynamics in the communities, making travel less risky and adding an extra layer of incentives for our kith and kin living in places far and near to visit home more frequently for social functions and engagements.”
Otti pleaded with residents to pay their taxes responsibly to enable Government serve them better.
“Citizens and businesses are encouraged to pay their taxes with religious commitments. Thankfully, we have created multiple digital and traditional channels to make the payment of taxes and other statutory fees seamless.
“Our infrastructural and social development programmes will be stalled if we fall short on the financial obligations required to keep the bulldozers and other earth moving equipment at our different project sites in motion.
“In addition to paying our taxes as and when due, we have an obligation to protect public facilities in our communities and neighbourhoods.”
The Governor warned that acts of vandalism and criminal destruction of public infrastructure would never be tolerated.
He vowed to deploy the full weight of the law to deal with anyone that “attempts to sabotage our modest efforts at making all parts of Abia safe destinations for honest and legitimate endeavours.”
A mammoth crowd of locals thronged out to cheer the Governor as he flagged off the road reconstruction.
