Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, has inaugurated the board and management of the newly created Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA).
The agency has Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), as Board Chairman and Obinna Odum as Director General.
Inaugurating the board at the Banquet hall, Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti said that “GODA is a creation of his government backed by law.”
He said that members were carefully selected to man the agency, adding that his administration is deliberate about GODA’s creation as it is aimed at bringing even development to Abia State.
While recalling that his administration set up the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) last year, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority has been in existence before now with a lot of transformation and changes that it has supported, maintaining that government thought it wise to set up GODA to ensure overall development in the state.
“GODA is a creation of the government backed by the law and passed by the state House of Assembly in the middle of this year.”
“We are deliberate about it (creation of GODA) and the reason is simple; we believe that the state should be evenly developed and last year, we set up the Greater Aba Development Agency and it was immediately sent to work. A lot of the things you see we have done in Aba is pioneered by GADA.
“Before our time, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority has been established. A lot of the transformation and the changes that are happening in the state are also supported by UCDA.
“We thought it necessary to also set up the Greater Ohafia Development Agency ensuring the balance of development in the tripod zones of Abia state,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti disclosed that more members would come on board from the line Ministries. He said that government is very serious about the agency and would do all to ensure that its mandate is delivered.
The Governor, who congratulated the appointees on their appointments expressed confidence that they would bring their wealth of experience and contact to bear on the job.
Responding on behalf of others, the Chairman Prof. Awa Kalu expressed his delight to join in the revolution in Abia State and promised that they would join hands with government to bring the needed development in the State.
Other Members of the board include, Dr. Onyinye Rufus-Obi, Surveyor Ike Orika and Chief Johnson Chukwu.
