Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has highlighted his administration’s activities and ongoing projects across key sectors, including road infrastructure, healthcare, education, power, water supply, youth development and housing.
The Governor spoke during the October edition of his monthly media chat, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia, where he reviewed developments in the state and addressed questions on governance and public concerns.
Beginning with infrastructure, Governor Otti disclosed that construction work had commenced on the 3.1-kilometre Old Express Road and the 3.95-kilometre Uratta Road in Aba, describing them as roads that had remained in poor condition for decades.
He noted that the roads, like the 6.7-kilometre Port Harcourt Road in Aba, had been on the drawing board for several years before his administration commenced their reconstruction.
According to him, the Old Express and Uratta roads are among the projects under the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (ABSIID), supported by the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Canadian Development Bank.
He said construction work by CCEC had already commenced before the formal flag-off, adding that the contractor had been given 24 months to complete the projects.
The Governor further disclosed that his administration was handling about 51 roads, with approximately 20 additional roads already under contract.
On youth development, Governor Otti celebrated Abia schoolchildren who emerged world champions at an international debate competition in Doha, Qatar, involving several countries and 84 teams.
He said the state would continue to recognise excellence while encouraging other young people to improve their performance.
The Governor also mentioned a young female student who won a local competition and was selected to represent Nigeria in Singapore next year.
In the area of youth empowerment, he disclosed that 100 Abians had benefited from the Abia Youth Programme, with 50 already earning income and some working remotely.
He said the administration had decided to scale up the programme, explaining that equipping young people with relevant skills remained one of the government’s approaches to empowerment.
He also referenced initiatives such as TechRise and the Abia Leaders Academy as part of the administration’s broader investment in human capital development.
On power and public utilities, Governor Otti disclosed that 153 out of the state’s 200 primary healthcare centres had been solarised, adding that approval had been given for more facilities to benefit from the initiative.
He also announced that the first phase of the Christ the King College (CKC), Aba, Water Scheme was ready for commissioning.
According to him, the objective is to restore reliable public water supply and bring back the era when residents could turn on their taps and have water flowing.
The Governor further announced that electricity had been restored to Ohafia, with plans to extend the intervention to Bende.
He also disclosed that the Nnenna Otti House terminal had been energised, enabling the charging of electric buses at the facility.
On healthcare, Governor Otti said the state had established an isolation centre at the Mother and Child Hospital as part of its preparedness following the identification of an Ebola index case by the Federal Ministry of Health.
He clarified that Abia had no confirmed case at the time of the media chat but stressed that the government was taking precautionary measures.
He said, “At the moment, we don’t have any case, but we are not resting on our oars. We have to be ready just in case, and we are ready.”
The Governor also highlighted achievements in eye healthcare, disclosing that eye centres had been established across the 17 local government areas, with additional facilities bringing the number to 25. He said he had approved four more centres, which would increase the total to 29.
He further revealed that 1,811 eye surgeries had been conducted, including 300 free cataract surgeries, while vulnerable residents who could not afford treatment had received financial assistance.
He encouraged residents to undergo eye examinations rather than assume they had no underlying conditions.
On the Abia Airport project, Governor Otti disclosed that construction work was progressing, with granite laying already commenced on a section of the runway.
He said the project remained part of the administration’s infrastructure development agenda.
The Governor also announced that Abia had emerged second in the first-ever climate governance ranking, expressing confidence that the state’s initiatives, including the introduction of electric buses and other environmental interventions, would strengthen its performance in the sector.
On the state’s debt profile, Governor Otti disclosed that Abia’s debt had declined from ₦147 billion in the second quarter of 2023 to ₦48.2 billion in the second quarter of 2026.
He said this represented a reduction of more than ₦90 billion, adding that the government had not undertaken direct borrowing, although he noted that this did not mean the state would never borrow.
In education, the Governor said his administration would sustain the renovation of public schools and disclosed plans for the construction of 21 smart schools across the state.
He also announced that the Chima Ubani Memorial Hospital had been commissioned, while the Arochukwu facility was expected to be commissioned.
On land administration and housing, Governor Otti disclosed that he had signed approximately 71 Certificates of Occupancy within the hour preceding the media chat, bringing the total number issued by his administration to about 5,000.
He explained that the government was creating housing opportunities through land development, with the first project being the Pocket Layout in Umuahia.
Addressing the flooding around the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the Governor said the government was considering options to resolve the problem, including removing buildings constructed on drainage channels or exploring alternative engineering solutions.
He said a decision would be taken after considering the available options.
On the Akara-Uturu Road, Governor Otti assured residents that the road would be reconstructed in due course, explaining that the administration was currently prioritising major roads across the state.
The Governor also addressed concerns surrounding the inclusion of a private school pupil among the students of a public model school that won an international award. He directed an investigation to establish how the situation occurred.
On matters involving persons with disabilities, he directed the Chairman of the Abia State Commission for Persons with Disabilities to return the appeal involving 38 members of the disability community.
The media chat also featured discussions on social media conduct and a matter involving a young woman. Speaking on the need for restraint in public engagements, Governor Otti observed that people sometimes take certain issues too seriously.
He said, “The reality is that some of these things, people take them too seriously, even though people should draw a line.”
He also remarked, “Old men are now doing content too, and we have not gone after anyone.”
On the matter involving the young woman, the Governor disclosed that he had directed the Attorney-General to intervene.
“I have directed the Attorney-General to wade into the matter and ensure the poor girl is released,” he said.
