Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Speakers of Abia State House of Assembly under the aegis of the Conference of Former Speakers of Abia State House of Assembly, have commended the incumbent Governor Alex Otti for his giant strides in infrastructural development.
The ex-number three citizens made the commendation when they joined the Governor to inspect a number of on-going road projects in Aba.
The former Speakers who are chieftains of their various political parties, noted with delight that, Abia for the first time, has had semblance of good governance.
They expressed their satisfaction over the quantum and quality of infrastructural development going on simultaneously in Aba and Umuahia the state capital.
Some of the former Speakers present during the inspection were the immediate-past Deputy Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu; and immediate-past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu.
Others were former Acting Governor, Stanley Ohajuruka, Rt. Hons Arua Arusi, Agwu U. Agwu , Martins Azubuike and Chikwendu Kalu.
Speaking on behalf of the body, Rt. Hon. Ohajuruka, hailed Otti for doing what his predecessors could not do.
He expressed satisfaction with the Governor’s achievements, saying that the former Speakers not belonging to the same political party with the Governor would not make them to shy away from the truth.
“We are very happy with what we have seen so far,” he enthused.
“Politics is over and it is now time for governance. One needs not to belong to the same political party before appreciating good thing,” he said.
In the same vein, Rt. Hon. Enweremadu, expressed happiness with the Governor for achieving results within so short a time and for meeting the expectations of the people of the state.
Enweremadu prayed God to help Otti accomplish more for Abia people.
Meanwhile, Otti has charged contractors handling various road projects in the commercial city of Aba, to expedite action on them to ensure their delivery before the rains set in fully.
The Governor who gave the directive while inspecting various on-going road projects in Aba, reiterated his resolve to give the state a facelift.
Addressing enthusiastic residents who trooped out to cheer him at various spots in Aba, Governor Otti said he was determined to transform the state.
He described the roads as strategic and of economic importance, warning that he will not take any excuse for failure to deliver them on record time and according to specifications.
The Governor said he had confidence in the contractors, and thanked them for the quality of job so far done.
Otti also commended residents for their support and cooperation with the contractors.
“The contractors are trying but I want them to do more because I don’t want the rains to meet them here .They have the capacity and I know they can achieve that.
“I want to thank you for supporting the contractors, giving them all the maximum cooperation. I also want to thank you for going through all the inconveniences to ensure this road is done to the highest standard.”
Otti said that the essence of the inspection was to ensure the contractors were complying to specifications and to see the level of works so far done on the roads.
Meanwhile, some of the roads inspected included: Peoples Road, Ndoki Road, Old Court Road and Ehi Road.
Others were Port Harcourt Road, Omuma Road, Industrial Road, Umuodu Avenue, University Road, and Mgbedeala-Omoba Road in Isiala-Ngwa South LGA.