…Inaugurates 46-km road in Abia
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State as “a performer and a miracle worker.”
Obasanjo who spoke while inaugurating a 46-kilometer Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba Road, lauded Otti for his development strides which have changed the narrative in Abia.
He urged Otti to remain focused and refuse to be distracted by detractors.
Meanwhile, the former President said that Nigeria is not in short supply of of “good team,” but noted that the challenge has been in the ability of leaders to identify, assemble and harness their potentials.
He commended Gov. Otti for assembling a performing team, which, he said had helped him record commendable achievements in many sectors.
Obasanjo challenged leaders to identify competent hands that could assist them achieve results.
The former President said Nigeria could be better if leaders at various levels of Government would identify, and assign responsibilities to the rights aides.
He argued that Nigeria would not be poor if her leaders could fish out individuals with the potentials and competence to turn things around.
He said: “The bad situation we have today can be made better tomorrow. We don’t need to languish in want or poverty. All we need to do is to ensure that at every level we have the right leaders with the right team.
“A good leader needs the right team. We don’t have deficiency of good team. You can get them for Nigeria, and for Africa.”
Obasanjo praised Otti’s appointees particularly the Commissioner for Works and his Health counterpart for their great achievements.
He described Gov. Otti as a rare leader who had achieved so much in a short time.
“Gov. Otti is a man of his words; a goal getter; and a performer. Governor, you are a good example of a true leader.
“Abia has had governors before but good leaders are rare. When you get one like Otti, make good use of him.”
The former President who recalled his harrowing experience when he rode on the road to attend an event at Abiriba, lauded Gov. Otti for fixing the road and ending the ordeals of commuters and motorists plying the route.
“I have passed through this road to Abiriba some years ago. It was hellish! When I was told that it now takes about 45 minutes to get to Abiriba from Umuahia, I said: Otti is a miracle worker.”
Obasanjo urged Abians to consider him for a second term in office to consolidate on his achievements.
“To Abians I say: don’t change a winning team. Otti has an idea of what he wanted to achieve. He did not come for transactional leadership, waste or corruption.”
“When they talk about you it’s because you are doing well. Remain focused, do what is right and God will continue to be with you,” Obasanjo said.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd at the event, Gov.Otti said he embarked on the road reconstruction to mitigate the suffering of the people.
He regretted that past administrations did not do much to change the nightmarish condition of the road that connects over four local government areas and hundreds of communities in the state.
“For decades, not much was done to address the challenge of bad roads which led to migration of our youths.”
The Governor who said that the two contractors who executed the road project had been fully paid, hinting that the third phase of the road from Abiriba to Ohafia will soon be delivered and inaugurated.
“This road is an eloquent testimony of our resolve to do things aright,” Otti said, declaring that criminals elements who took undue advantage of the deplorable condition of the road to terrorise commuters, had gone out of business.
“We have also reduced the risk of road accidents, insecurity and improved economic activities around this corridor,” Otti said
Highlighting the significance of the road to agriculture, Otti declared: “Never again will our farmers suffer avoidable losses due to bad roads.
Otti said Abia had become a preferred destination for investors due to many achievements of his administration to open up the state.
“This is the best time to invest in Abia because we have not only created the investor-friendly environment but have also secured the state.”
Otti attributed his achievements to prudent management of resources, insisting that his administration has not borrowed a dime since he came on board.
“We have executed our projects without borrowing,” he said.
Instead, he said he had paid some of the debts incurred by his predecessors.
In a remark, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said that “most times Governors come into office and get lost,” but noted that Otti had given a good account of himself.
Senator Abaribe commended Otti for changing the narrative in the state, urging him not to relent on his efforts.
“This road had been a nightmare to most of my constituents who come from Old Bende but living in Aba. When they invite us for programmes, we had serious challenges passing through this road, but today, that is history,” Abaribe said.
In a remark, an elder statesman and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Chris Adighije, said his support for Otti, even though from a different political party, was borne out of his performance.
Senator Adighije who said he had no regrets supporting a performing leader, said Otti has made Abians proud of their state.
“When they say I’m in APC and supporting LP Governor, this is why I will continue to support him. The people will continue to vote for him until he completes his eight years.”
Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Works, Otumchere Oti, noted that before the intervention, the road was in a terrible and deplorable condition due to neglect by previous administrations.
He commended the contractors for delivering on time and according to specifications.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were Senator Austin Akobundu (PDP); Senator Emma Nwaka; Bishop Sunday Onuoha; Rep. Obi Aguocha, Rep Jinger Onwusibe; among others.
