Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
The Governor of Abia State Dr Alex Otti, has said he will lead the charge for building a new State where transparency, accountability and public trust will rein over ethnic basis.
Otti, who spoke shortly after taking the oath of office at township stadium in Umuahia, the State capital on Monday stated that he will entere into a social contract with Abia electorates, pointing out that he will not make excuses.
The governor who was elected under the platform of the Labour Party vowed to prioritized infrastructural development across the State, insisting that members of public will not need the media to tell them what his government is doing in the State.
He solicited the for the cooperation of government workers in the State by calling off their strike actions, promising that his government will prioritize prompt payment of salary.
Otti, vowed to create enabling environment for businesses to grow by giving loans to strengthen small and medium scale business in the State, while calling those stealing from the state through illegal revenue collection to stay clear.
The governor maintained that his government will pursue a complete urban renewal program for Umuahia the State capital and Aba her capital nerve centre through massive infrastructural development programs.
Otti, also appreciated all Abia residents, members of his Party and staff of Independent National Electoral Commission who stood by him during the March 18, 2023, Governorship election in the State.
He said, “The massive Jubilation across the State on March 22, 2023, the day we were declared winners of the election will remain vivid on my mind and spore me to work for Abians who elected me”.
“The Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, and I, together with our team, are fully ready to bequeath to our successors a far better Abia State than the one we have inherited today.
“To achieve this, we began by setting up task forces charged with the responsibility of drawing up a vision and a road map for the development of Abia State.
“Since late March, when our victory was announced, we have kept busy these dedicated teams comprising some of the most gifted and trained individuals, working day and night, to ensure that even in the face of overwhelming odds and hostility, this administration will have a smooth take-off.
“They are the members of the Transition Council, the Inauguration Committee, and the Handover Committee. Many of them are with us here today and I thank them for their hard work and sacrifices”.