Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, says that the transformation of Umuahia is at infant stages as he is just starting the facelift he had planned for it.
Governor Alex Otti stated this on Friday, April 10th, during the grand civic reception organised in his honour by the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
Governor Otti revealed that his administration has clearly set up what he wants Umuahia to look like, disclosing that he has signed an agreement with a partner to construct a 200 to 250-Room Five – Star Hotel in Umuahia, among other transformational agenda of his government.
“Umuahia is at infant stages. Just starting, we have clearly set out in our mind what we want Umuahia to look like, and we are not comparing ourselves with anybody.
“So, when you say you want this place to look like Dubai, no, we don’t want it to look like Dubai. We want it to look like Umuahia.
“An example is that a few days ago, I got the draft agreement which I shall sign this weekend to bring in a Five-Star Hotel, just like we are doing in Aba. We are going to do a 200 to 250 room Five-Star Hotel in Umuahia.
“And the site has already been identified behind me here (behind the stadium). So, at the appropriate time, in a few weeks when we will do the groundbreaking, we will announce the name of the partner. It’s a name that you know and a name you’ll be very proud of,”
The Governor noted that the whole idea is that , “if you are coming to Umuahia and you want to hold a convention, you want to hold a retreat, you will have a place that can take 250 people.
“That is how a town grows. No matter how much you think you have grown, if you don’t have a good Five-Star Hotel, you’ve not started the growth,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor noted that the State government has acquired the land for building a befitting stadium in Umuahia, informing his audience that discussions are ongoing to have the project achieved.
“One thing you can be sure about us is that, whenever we start a project, it must be finished. So, if we are not sure that it will be finished, we won’t start.
“So, we are at that point where we are dotting all the i’s and crossing the t’s to be sure that we’ll complete the Umuahia stadium.
“The Amachara Specialist Hospital, you already have seen what’s going on. And I’ve given them a target.
“Later, by the end of this year, I want everything to be commissioned. Let me not go one after the other. I just want to reassure you that this government will remain focused.
“And like I had told some people, I don’t need anybody to be afraid because this place belongs to all of us. Just like Honourable Acho Obioma said earlier, when we came in 2023, it was all promises and you believed. So by today, we have things to point at,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti thanked the Chairman of the occasion, the Most Rev. Raphael Opoko for his support to his government, and the leadership of the Labour Party at all levels for their steadfastness.
The State Chief Executive equally saluted the new members of the Labour Party, particularly Hon. Udo Oluchi Ibechi, who he described as his friend for identifying with him in Labour party, and appreciated the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency for honouring him.
The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha said that Ikwuano/Umuahia gave Governor Otti 40 percent votes in 2023 elections and assured that the people would do more than that in 2027.
He thanked him for all that he has been doing for the State, particularly, his care for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and being the only Governor that has visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the son of Ikwuano/Umuahia. Speaking on behalf of the members of the State House of Assembly, Umunnato, including Ikwuano, Umuahia North and Umuahia South LGAs, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Augustine Meregini said that the Governor has always made their job easy.
He identified some projects done in the Federal Constituency and the State at large and assured the Governor of the continuous support of the people .
The Chairman, Reception Organising Committee, Mr. Kingsley Anosike noted that Umuahia is no longer being referred to as a glorified village because of what Governor Otti has done. He said that the people are happy that the Governor has restored the dignity of Ndi Abia
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Archbishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuahia Arch Diocese, Most Rev. Raphael Opoko, said that the reception is a celebration of purposeful leadership and recognition of impactful government.
He highlighted all that the Governor has achieved in the State in less than three years in office, and noted that his administration has started to redefine governance, stressing that, the Ikwuano/Umuahia people are truly proud to be associated with his government and emphasised that, there is no vacancy in Abia Government House in 2027.
Contributing, the Mayor of Umuahia South Local Government Area, Engr. Chinedum Enwereuzo, who spoke on behalf of his counterparts in Ikwuano and Umuahia North LGAs, said that the constituency had never experienced such unprecedented development before now and assured the Governor of the continued support of the people.
Also, in their goodwill messages, some stakeholders including Chief Uzodinma Okpara, Dr Monday Ubani SAN, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, and the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the Federal Character Commission, Chief Victor Ikeji, extolled the performance of Governor Otti.
They noted that the Governor has fixed the roads, public buildings and other infrastructures, introduced social security support for the elderly and significantly improved healthcare delivery through the retrofitting and equipping of healthcare facilities across the State, and assured him of 100 percent vote in 2027.
The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, while welcoming a former federal legislator, Chief Oluchi Ibeji, alongside his supporters and hundreds of other new entrants into the party, assured them of equal opportunity and fair treatment within the Labour Party.
Speaking on behalf of the new entrants into the Labour Party, the former member of the federal house representive, Hon. Udo Oluchi Ibeji told the Governor to count on their unalloyed support.
He said that they would ensure he returns to Government House Umuahia very easily in 2027.
The event which attracted the wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs Priscilla Otti, Speaker Abia House of Assembly, Rt.Honourable Emmanuel Emeruwa among other dignitaries saw thousands of people trooped out en masse to celebrate Governor Alex Otti, while Hon. Udo Oluchi Ibeji led many individuals to join the Labour Party.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
