We are giving priority to roads reconstruction to rebnuild Abia’s economy, recover lost opportunities – Otti

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Apart from providing access to all parts of the state, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says his administraton was according priority to roads reconstruction to enable the state to recover from the huge economic losses it suffered in the past due to neglect by past administrations.

“As a government that made a covenant to bring succour to the people after many years of frustrations, we knew that road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance must be made major priorities long before we took our oath of office,” said Otti while performing the flag off ceremong of the 30-kilometre Arochukwu-Ndi Okoereke-Ozu Abam road, last Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Amuvi Arocuhukwu, noting that access roads would turn rural villages to productive centres and make them attractive to investors.

“The terrible state of some of the most economically viable roads in the State as a result of utter neglect tells a very unsavoury story and for several years, not much was done to address this challenge in several rural communities and urban centres,” the Governor lamented..

Enumerating the negative impact of the dilapidated roads, the Governor said: “The cost of this neglect on the economy of the State in terms of lost opportunities cannot be quantified.  

“Farmers in rural communities found it difficult to move their produce to the markets leading to heavy post-harvest losses.

” Most painfully, businessmen and women from different parts of Nigeria and the West African sub-region who had relied on markets in Aba for supplies quickly took their patronage to other places. “With business returns plummeting, several commercial entities that previously employed thousands of our people quietly closed shops or relocated.”

He however assured that the renewed efforts to fix roads in the state would turn around the economic fortunes of the state and check rural urban migration.

“Starting with some of the most strategic roads in Aba and Umuahia, we are now expanding the scope to cover roads that connect our agricultural zones to the urban areas in order to boost the State’s agricultural output and expand our economic corridors to create jobs for thousands of our young people while taming rural-urban migration,” the Governor said.

The Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozu Abam road, expected. to be completed in 12 months, would “revive agricultural activities in that axis,” according to the Governor who promised that no part of the State would be left behind in the current push to expand the frontiers of economic and social opportunities for individuals, families and businesses.  

Speking on the advantages of fixing Abia roads, the Governor said it was to bring relief to the people and reclaim what had been lost through years of neglect.”

“Fixing this road simultaneously with the 67 kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road is a strategic initiative to guarantee that the stretch of road from this axis to Umuahia and Aba is in optimal shape, making the movement of people, agro and allied commodities from the northern part of the State to the urban centres is hassle-free.  

“Beyond just boosting the economic endeavours of individuals and businesses, the reconstruction of these roads will also improve the social dynamics in the communities, making travel less risky and adding an extra layer of incentives for our kith and kin living in places far and near to visit home more frequently for social functions and engagements.  

“In committing so much to these road projects, we are looking to also strengthen inter-community bonds and create a new pathway for rapid development of the tourism sector. “By the time the contractors complete their works, it would be easier for our friends and acquaintances to travel from wherever they are in the world to our communities to witness our cultural and traditional events as frequently as they wish,” he said.  

Governor Otti assured all communities in the State that the present  administration has “a very detailed programme of development” which would benefit the people.

 “The promise of the New Abia is for every part of the State,” Otti promised, adding: “Our overarching objective is to turn every community in the State into viable production centres where those who seek jobs can find one and those who dream of setting up their independent empires will be given wings to fly.”

He enjoined citizens and businesses to pay their taxes with religious commitments, warning that “Our infrastructural and social development programmes will be stalled if we fall short on the financial obligations required to keep the bulldozers and other earth moving equipment at our different project sites in motion.”

The Governor equally tasked the people to protect public facilities in their communities and neighbourhoods. “Acts of vandalism and criminal destruction of public infrastructure shall never be tolerated as we shall deploy the full weight of the law to deal with anyone who attempts to sabotage our modest efforts at making all parts of Abia safe destinations for honest and legitimate endeavours,” the Governor said. 

“One of the most important commitments of our government is to improve the living condition of the people across rural and urban communities through the consistent removal of the many impediments that limit the capacity of individuals and businesses to function at their fullest potential,” he told the cheering crowd.

Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Oti,  said construction of the road would bring economic development to the communities in the area, assuring that the road would be recomstructed in line with specifications.

Earlier, the Majority Leader and Member representing Arochukwu State Constituency, Hon. Uchenna Okoro, the Mayor of Arochukwu local government area, Joe Ezearu, the Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Linus Nto Mbah and Eze Aro, Eze Eberechukwu Oji, had narrated how their people had suffered over the neglect of the road for decades and thanked the Governor for coming to their rescue.