…Vows to bridge infrastructural gap
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
There was outpouring of encomiums Tuesday in Abia as Governor Alex Otti flagged off the 11.5 km Nunyaa-Eluama Road in Isuikwuato Local Government Area.
Locals including illustrious sons of Isuikwuato from across party divides thronged out in their numbers to identify with the event.
One of the prominent sons of Isuikwuato, a former Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd), lauded the efforts of Gov. Otti to change the face of Abia.
Gen. Ihejirika who is a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, expressed delight over the resolve of the Governor to tackle infrastructural deficit across the state.
“I’m happy that since Otti took over, I have been watching events like this. Good governance is about infrastructure and security.”
The retired General who noted that “it’s no longer business as usual,” volunteered to help in supervising the contract to ensure delivery according to specifications.
In the same vein, member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, Hon. Lucky Johnson (PDP); and the Mayor of Isuikwuato LGA, Air Vice Marshall Chikwendu Onyeike (retd.), thanked the Governor for coming to the rescue of the people many years after the road was abandoned.
Similarly, former Chairman of PDP in the state, Senator Emma Nwaka, hailed Otti for showing his concern for the people of Isuikwuato by awarding the rehabilitation of the road which he said would help in evacuating farm produce to the urban areas.
“Every Isuikwuato person is delighted that Nnunya/Ogboro Road is one of the roads in Abia State that have received early attention in the life of Dr Alex Otti’s first tenure as the governor of Abia State.
“This Road is very important to our people, not just because it offers us easy access to Enugu/Port Harcourt Express Road but also for the fact that it will enable our farmers to evacuate their farm produce for sale in Umuahia and neighbouring states. We are grateful to the governor for this developmental project,” Nwaka said.
Earlier in his speech entitled “bridging the developmental divide,” Gov. Otti said he came on board to close infrastructural gap in Abia State.
He promised that no part of the state would be left behind in the on-going efforts to restart the state.
Otti noted that he had last week, flagged off the reconstruction of the long-abandoned 30km Abam-Ndiokereke-Arochukwu road, as part of his resolve to open up every nook and cranny of the state.
The Abam road, upon completion, will be the shortest route to Arochukwu from any part of Abia.
Otti who said Nunyaa road project would be delivered in 12 months, explained it would transform the civil and socio-economic fortunes of the people, when completed.
The Governor assured that under his watch, every part of the state would witness development.
Otti expressed satisfaction that insecurity which hitherto thrived in the area had drastically reduced.
“Isuikwuato roads are now safer than they were 10 months ago when we came on board.”
Otti who disclosed that his administration had 30 on-going road projects in different parts of the state, assured that all of them would be delivered on record time despite the enormity of funds involved.
“I’m happy that all the projects are progressing as scheduled, and the information on my desk is that some of them will even be delivered earlier than scheduled.”
The Governor charged the contractor, Chinese Construction Engineering Company, CCEC, to ensure timely completion of the project according to specifications.
Otti also urged citizens to pay their tax regularly to enable Government effectively discharge its responsibilities.
