“The Otti administration within the last two years set up the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) to promote urban renewal and orderly development of infrastructure.”
By May 29, 2025, Governor Alex Otti would have clocked two years on the leadership saddle of Abia State. Within this short period, quite a lot has taken place in terms of the economic and infrastructural transformation of the State.
The awesome achievements of the Otti administration have kept Ndi Abia wondering the fate that befell Abia in the last 24 years when the current opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presided over the affairs of the State.
Those 24 years were actually the years eaten by the locust and caterpillar. They were 24 years of leadership failure and economic regression. The economic underdevelopment was palpable. With many projects that were initiated and completed by the Otti administration just under two years it has dawned on the people of Abia that their State was more or less in a position of suspended animation in these past 24 years. The difference is today different
It is stated in the Scriptures that when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. Otti has brought smiles to the people of Abia and rekindled their hopes in the immense possibilities of the State. They are, therefore, rejoicing and applauding the government for the visible transformation that is ongoing in every part of the State. In the last two years, the entire State has become a huge construction site, with several development projects going on simultaneously in all the senatorial zones of the State.
So many impactful projects have been completed and commissioned. Some have been completed and awaiting commissioning as part of the second year anniversary celebrations of the Otti-led administration. Many others are currently on-going.
Amongst the completed projects are several roads in Aba, the commercial hub of the State, flood control and desilting in Aba and Umuahia, renovation and retrofitting of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba which lost its accreditation under the Ikpeazu administration. Governor Otti has since secured back the accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
The abandoned Enyimba Hotel in Aba is currently receiving the Midas touch of Governor Otti. At the moment, the government is partnering with Radisson Blu, a global chain in the hospitality sector, to transform the abandoned facility into a mega international hotel and convention centre.
The Otti administration within the last two years set up the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) to promote urban renewal and orderly development of infrastructure. It similarly strengthened the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) to coordinate the infrastructural development of the capital city and ensure its orderly modernization.
Within the Umuahia area, one of the key projects successfully executed by the government is the modernization and expansion of the main approach road from the Abia Tower on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway into six lanes with covered drainages and streetlights. The beautiful road has been renamed Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard in honour of Nigeria`s first Military Head of State and an indigene of Umuahia.
Work is rapidly progressing on the second stretch from the Abia Tower to the boundary with Imo State at Imo Bridge in Ekenobizi.
Another significant project is the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara-Alayi-Igbere-Abiriba-Ohafia road which straddles the Abia Central and Abia North senatorial zones of the State. The section from Umuahia to Abiriba, covering 45 kilometers, has since been completed and fitted with solar -powered streetlights.
The very economically impactful project was commissioned about a month ago by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The remaining stretch from Abiriba to Ohafia is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Within the Abia North senatorial zone, work is progressing on the Ndi Okereke-Arochukwu road, a vital agrarian corridor. Also the narrow Omenuko Bridge in Abam which was inherited from the colonial era and has repeatedly claimed lives is receiving serious attention from Governor Otti. He awarded the contract for the construction of a new and modern bridge to replace the precarious one. Work is currently going on there.
The joy of the people of Abam and other communities that ply that route knew no bounds the day Otti flagged off the construction of the new bridge. For them, Otti is a modern day messiah.
Within the same Abia North, Otti awarded the contract for the construction of the Nunya-Eluama-Ovim road. The project which is being undertaken by CCECC, a Chinese construction giant, is ongoing. On completion, it would open a vital economic corridor in the Isuikwuato axis of the State.
Amongst the signature projects of Governor Otti are the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) located in Owaza, the oil-producing area of Abia State and the Abia Airport project at Nsulu. These are the icings on the cake. When the two projects are completed and come on stream, Abia will never be the same again. The impact will be huge in terms of employment, wealth creation and skills acquisition.
The people of Abia salute Otti for the fresh breath of fresh air in the State ad his good works. These will speak for him at the polls in 2027.
May Abia continue to prevail!
Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
