Governor Otti’s Commitment to Progress: How the 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzo-Obete-Umuoha-Oberete-Akirikaobu Road Project Demonstrates Leadership Beyond Politics
Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D
In a remarkable display of leadership and commitment to progress, Governor Alex Otti OFR, on Wednesday, 12th February, flagged off the construction of the 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzor-Umuoha-Obete-Oberete-Akirikaobu road in Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State. This project further underscores Governor Otti’s vision for a better Abia, driven by his passion to transform the state and leave a lasting impact on its people and landscape.
It is worth noting that Obingwa LGA was instrumental in truncating Governor Otti’s electoral victory in 2015 and 2019, courtesy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State. The good people of Obingwa had supported Governor Otti, but the political fraudsters of the Abia State chapter of the PDP worked against the interest of Abians who prayed and worked for change. However, Governor Otti has chosen to put the past behind him and focus on delivering development projects that benefit the people of Obingwa and Abia State as a whole.
The Abia State PDP’s inglorious past is well-documented, with the party denying the state any semblance of development and progress during its reign. For years, the party’s leadership was more concerned with enriching themselves and their cronies than with improving the lives of Abians. The state’s infrastructure, including roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, was left to decay, and the economy stagnated. However, Governor Otti’s administration has signaled a departure from this sorry state of affairs, with a firm commitment to transforming the infrastructure landscape of Obingwa and other parts of the state.
As a progress-minded leader, Governor Otti has promised to change the politics of Obingwa and restore the LGA to its former glory. He has also begun grooming new leaders from Obingwa to change the area’s negative political image. The New Abia administration has embarked on several infrastructure projects in Obingwa, including the RAMP project that connects several kilometers of roads from Umuoba, Isiala-Ngwa LGA to Itungwa in Obingwa. Upon completion, this project will improve the lives of the people in that corridor, providing them with access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities.
The 12.6km Ohanze-Ntighauzor-Umuoha-Obete-Oberete-Akirikaobu road project is particularly significant, as it connects Obingwa LGA to Ukwa East LGA and the boundary between Abia and Akwa Ibom states. This project has immense economic importance, as it will enhance connectivity, provide access to rural markets and the Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Expressway, and facilitate the transportation and movement of farm produce to Aba commercial city. The road will also provide a vital link between the rural communities in Obingwa LGA and the urban centers in Aba, promoting economic growth and development in the area.
The benefits of this project are multifaceted. Beyond connecting wards 7, 10, and 11 in Obingwa LGA, it will foster unity and cooperation among the people in the area. It will also provide a vital link between Obingwa LGA and Ukwa East LGA, as well as the boundary between Abia and Akwa Ibom states, promoting regional connectivity and development. The road will also provide a crucial link for farmers and traders from rural communities to access urban markets in Aba, promoting economic growth and development. It will also strengthen economic ties between Abia State and Akwa Ibom State, fostering cooperation and mutual growth.
The enhanced connectivity brought about by the road is expected to create new opportunities for investment in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), driving economic growth and development in the region. The road’s proximity to Aba city is also likely to encourage land purchases and residential property development in Obingwa communities, promoting urbanization and property development. As people relocate to these communities for business and other purposes, residential housing projects are expected to emerge, driving growth and development in the area.
There is no gainsaying that Governor Otti’s commitment to progress is evident in his administration’s infrastructure development agenda, particularly the Ohanze-Ntighauzor-Umuoha-Obete-Oberete-Akirikaobu road project. This project no doubt demonstrates leadership beyond politics, as Governor Otti has chosen to prioritize the development needs of Obingwa LGA and Abia State, despite the area’s past political leanings. The project’s benefits are multifaceted, and its completion will have a transformative impact on the lives of the people in Obingwa LGA and Abia State as a whole.
Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is SSA to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs. He also hails from Obingwa.