Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Management and Board of the National Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, have applauded the infrastructural strides of Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, describing him as a performing Governor.
The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, and other Board members of NEITI, who were on a national retreat in Abia, spoke with newsmen after a facility tour of Port Harcourt Road, Aba and other projects executed by Gov. Otti.
He said they were amazed at access roads provided by the Governor, particularly in the various markets and streets at Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the South-East.
The stakeholders had embarked on the tour after the just concluded Strategic Retreat of the Board and Management of NEITI in Umuahia.
Dr Orji explained the connection between the work NEITI does and the tour they embarked upon.
“We are not politicians, we are technocrats and the connection between the work we do, and what we have seen is clear.
“Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative is about encouraging governments at federal, state, and local level to use the revenues from oil, gas, and mining to address national development and reduce poverty.
“When you get money from oil, gas and mining, what did you use it to do? How did you deploy it to connect with the people?
“I have seen that the revenues from oil, gas and mining is working in Abia state at the moment because Abia is an oil-producing state and we have seen that there is a strong linkage between what Abia is getting currently from the national treasury and the efforts to provide solid social infrastructure for the people of Abia State.
“The Governor of Abia State has done well, in my view. I’ve seen, and this is not speculation, where I’m standing now is Port Harcourt Road, which I learned that the President of the country might be coming to commission anytime soon.
“The last time I was here, I really wept because the last time there was a connection between government and this city that I know extremely well, was Sam Mbakwe era.
“We drove around Ariaria, and I saw the citizens’ reaction with the government of Dr. Alex Otti. All I can say is that I am speechless and profoundly delighted, proud of what I have seen he has done in the last two years,” Dr. Orji. stated.
The Alternate Chairman of NEITI and member representing North Central at the board, Ambassador Sunday Adoli, appreciated the performance of the Governor.
“The Governor is doing quite well. The resources he is getting are being translated into the practical development of the state. Permit me to say that he is performing very well.
“Like you know, our principal, President Bola Almed Tinubu is doing a very good job for the country. He thinks Nigeria, walks Nigeria.
“He is doing his best and deserves all the support. In fact, I am happy that the Governor (Otti) has a lot of regard for him, ranging from what he told me and told us publicly and that is how collaboration should be,” Adoli noted.
Similarly, a Board member of NEITI and President of Miners Association of Nigeria Mr Dele Ayanleke, representative of Civil Society, Dr Erisa Danladi and Dr. Loveth Ononuga, who represents the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS,) at the board all commended Governor Alex Otti and rated him high in service delivery.
They said that they were excited over what they had seen in Abia, adding that what the Governor is doing translates to what they have been advocating, which is people-centered approach of governance and urged him to sustain his good works in Abia State.
The team toured certain roads, streets and markets including Port Harcourt Road, Aba Owerri Road , Emelogu Street, Ariaria Market, among many others.
