—Reveals He is at the Forefront of Efforts for the Release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed that his administration is set to commence the long-abandoned Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Federal Road.
The Governor made this known during the September edition of “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians” held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia. He appreciated Abians for their continued support to his administration.
Governor Otti also disclosed that he is at the forefront of engagements for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“We have been engaging on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the level of engagement and the assurance we have received are not for public consumption, as his Governor, I am at the forefront for his release,” he stated.
The Governor emphasized that what is important is that his administration is doing what Abians elected him to do and will not be distracted by political propaganda.
“What’s important is that the people who hired us to do this work knows what we are doing and that is why we have made it that we must come here every month to explain what we have done and also take questions, clarification and accounting to the people that we should account for,” he said.
On healthcare, Otti said:
“In the area of health, we have continued to fire from all cylinders, the primary healthcare after it has been delivered, the little delays we have is phasing out and send healthcare professionals and if you check any of the healthcare facilities we have commissioned, you will see they are operational.
“Some of the primary healthcare centers also have accommodation for staff, making it possible for them to the service on a 24hr base.
“We also have 80 Health centers that are being renovated by the World Bank, our 200 Primary Healthcare Centers are on different stages of completion, we are also taking our secondary healthcare centers bit by bit.
“The specialist hospital in Amachara and the one in Umunneato are receiving attention and very soon it will be ready for commissioning.
“One thing you can take away is that anyone that we complete, we will complete very well.
“I announced here that we have approved 771 Doctors, nurses and other medical centres.”
Speaking on local government and commerce, the Governor said:
“In the Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs area, we have just commenced working on the different local government areas vis-à-vis the agricultural products that will come out from there, it also has the advantage of keeping our people at home and stop the rural to urban migration and also to commercialize their products and I believe that we will do well in that area.
“Also the Local Government Area Ministry is organizing the Techrise 2.0 which is a youthful programme we started to make our young people competitive in the area of Tech, the 850 of those selected are already at the camp.
“The Local Government Commissioner and his team are also constructing at the minimum four Evening Markets per Local Government Area, the evening markets will have Solar Powered installations, water and public conveniences. We expect that those markets will extend the time that our people spend or contribute to economic activities instead of shutting down by 6pm they can stay till 12am.”
On sports, Otti added:
“In terms of Sports, we are having the Abia Soccer competition which has statutes from the Wards, and from there to the Local Government Area and from there to the state and the winners will go home youth prizes, we are preparing them for competitions and club side within and outside Nigeria.”
Highlighting achievements in infrastructure, the Governor said his government will continue to tackle road projects aggressively.
“We are not resting on our oars on infrastructure particularly on roads, we will continue to finish off roads under the Ministry of Works, GADA, UCDA and because you know that this state has faced infrastructure decays that’s why we attacked it when we came.
“We are all set to flag off the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road and of course the President will be here on Friday next week to commission Port Harcourt Road and some other roads and am sure the people will come out with their numbers to celebrate the work that Julius Berger did on that road and most importantly the supervision of the Commissioner for Works. Ohanku Road and a few other roads will be commissioned on that 3rd October 2025.
“In the last count, there are 10 roads being handled in Aba by the Greater Aba Development Authority and of course the supervision of Enyimba Hotels, the Aba Leisure Park which is being handled by a major company out of Lagos.
“The whole idea is that the glory of Aba will return by the time we deliver the Enyimba Hotel etc.”
On the Airport Project, he said:
“Work has continued on the runway. Not too long ago, I was told that some people from Nsulu protested over non-payment of compensation. I was surprised because I thought that it had been completed and when I dispatched my team, we found that a few of them had not been paid and some of those who protested had their details omitted. We also found out that the Contractor entered some areas that were not part of the Land.”
The Governor also mentioned the recent swearing-in of two new Commissioners, the restructuring of Ministries, and the appointment of a Special Adviser on Agriculture, adding that:
“We have kicked off the pilot schemes of rice in Owerrinta, in Aba, Bende, Item are vegetations for rice growth.
“We have also introduced technology to gather data particularly those in the farms and we have 45,000 farmers who have been enumerated in the state, we are still continuing with data gathering.”
On security, he said:
“In the area of Security, suffice it to say that the state has been relatively peaceful, I want to use this opportunity to thank all the officers who have continued to work very hard so that our people can sleep and we just launched into the ember months and you all know what goes into the ember months.
“A large part of success in Security is Information. We have our own way of gathering information and if you support the Government, it will be helpful.
“We are also renovating the Aba Prison, a friend of mine said he wants to visit when I am done renovating it, we want to reform those who are sent to prison so that they become better citizens.”
On education, Otti explained:
“In the area of education, we are not there yet but we have made a lot of progress, today school fees are not being paid and we are happy about it.
“I want to commend Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic for successful accreditation of the School, I want to thank the Management for this feat and challenge them that the reward of hard work is more work.
“We continue our renovation efforts at the Abia State College of Technical Arochukwu. Work is going on there, a new Rector and Chairman was employed, that place is central to what we are doing with Education, we intend to make it a top-notch school that we can train our teachers.”
Governor Otti further disclosed that Abia continues to receive endorsements from international partners, citing recent visits by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the American Ambassador.
On housing agents and fees, he remarked:
“The Government can bring and wade its big stick but a lot of time, you can create issues. This is not the first time I am getting these complaints. I don’t believe in so much control and when you insist on enforcement, that’s when black maritime exploded.”
On newly recruited teachers, the Governor was firm:
“Anyone asking someone to show face and disappear must be a joker that cannot work under this Government, we already have a taskforce in place. We have publicly said it that nobody should be posted where they don’t want to.”
He also revealed that:
“The first set of the Electric Cars will be launched before the end of the year while the second set will be received in January while others follow subsequently.”
Governor Otti concluded by once again reaffirming his commitment to Nnamdi Kanu’s release and appreciated journalists for bringing government activities to the people, while thanking Abians for their continued support.
Promise Uzoma Okoro
