Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has pleaded to the United Nations Habitat, to assist in fast-tracking the delivery of the Aba and Umuahia Master Plans to help transform both cities.
Otti made the plea when he received in audience the UN Habitat, West Africa Portfolio Manager, Matthias Spaliviero who visited him.
He said his Government was committed to transforming Umuahia, the state capital to give it a befitting status.
The Governor announced that Government had awarded contract for the establishment of a bus terminal in Umuahia to enhance the beauty of the city and ensure sanity, adding that a similar thing would be done in Aba.
According to him, there was need for the UN Habitat to look at the drainage system to address the issue of flooding in the cities.
“We are advancing in our quest to develop Aba and address the environmental challenges in the city. While you are working in Aba, extend your work to Umuahia to add value to what we are doing because it is the capital city. We want to transform that city
“We have given approval for the establishment of a terminal where all types of transportation empties into. We also have deployed that to two locations in Aba. So, the earlier you fit what we are doing into the master plan to make it consistent with what we are doing the better.
“Ensure that you leave behind people who have been properly trained, who can carry on the job.” Dr. Otti said.
Earlier, the UN West Africa Portfolio Manager, Dr Matthias Spaliviero, who said he was in the state for a support mission explained that the UN habitat intends to show full commitment to the state through technical assistance.
Dr Spaliviero said there was need for sustainable urban renewal through engagement with the people especially in Aba, regretting that Aba people had poor sanitary culture and were not taking care of infrastructure provided by the government.
“Our mandate is to promote transformative change in urban cities and settlements. We want to show our full commitment to Abia state. We do have a contractual agreement with Abia State. This is our strategic plan, so the overall objective is sustainable urbanisation as a driver of development and peace to improve living conditions for all,” Dr. Spaliviero stated.
