…As Otti flags-off construction of more roads
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has announced the readiness of his administration to launch urban mass transit initiative in Abia State.
Otti who disclosed this while flagging off the reconstruction of two more roads in Umuahia, said that the mass transit initiative would not only streamline but crash the cost of transportation system in the state.
He said: “This will not only change the way we move people and goods in the cities like Umuahia and Aba; It will also streamline transport services, cut cost for commuters and improve the safety of passengers at anytime of the day or night.
“The modern bus terminals and shelters currently under construction and the superior quality road networks in the city shall form the infrastructure backbone for the new intra and inter city transport regime in Abia State.
“What we have come to do is to raise the governance bar so high that there shall be no room for little thinkers and self seeking actors in our political space when we are done.”
Meanwhile, the two roads flagged-off by the Governor include the 4.32 kilometres Orpet-Umuafai-Lodu-Ahiaeke Road and the 3.79 kilometres Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende Road in Umuahia North, totaling 8.11km.
Speaking at the event held at Ahiaeke, Governor Otti said he expects the project to be ready in nine months time.
Otti said that the successful completion of the roads “will respectively end the daily hassles of thousands of people who ply them as they go about their regular social and economic activities.”
“The roads when completed would offer a wide array of benefits to different stakeholder groups including transporters and commuters, farmers, property owners and developers, students and traders who function along these corridors.
“You will agree with me that we are not just building roads, we expanding the Umuahia ecosystem and supporting entrepreneurs and their families as well as lessening the economic burden of fixed income earners,”
Otti added that the roads would create employment and income generation opportunities.
“Beyond supporting and reviving what already exists, the two roads we have come to flag-off this afternoon will lead to creation of new employment and income generating opportunities for thousands of men and women with business interest in agriculture, real estate and hospitality, financial retail services, information and communications technology and so much more,” Gov. Otti stated.
Speaking, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha commended Governor Otti for his grassroots-focused projects.
He noted that the roads are of great economic importance to the agrarian communities around the area, saying that it would ease transportation of farm produce, reduce food prices, and boost land value.
Hon. Aguocha also appealed to the Governor to equally fix the Ofeke road which he said has long been abandoned by previous administrations.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregini, and member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Hon. Ugochukwu Collins Iheonunekwu, expressed joy with the road rehabilitation, which they said would boost socioeconomic development in the area.
They said that the importance of the roads could not be over emphasised because the roads run through an industrial area and a suburban area of the capital territory of the State.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti noted that the deplorable nature of the roads had caused untold hardship to road users in addition to its negative impact on the economic lives of the people.
He said that the road reconstruction marked the beginning of a new era for residents and businesses along the corridor.
In various interviews, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, the President General, Ndume Otuka Federated, Chief John Onyeiro lauded Gov. Otti for the intervention.
They said the roads when reconstructed, would bring huge relief to the people.
