New Abia Gain Presidential recognition as Tinubu unveils signature projects
By Chukwuma Elvis
All was in place to host the number one citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in God’s Own State’ for the commissioning of iconic projects embarked upon and completed by the transformative administration of Gov. Alex Otti within the first half of his tenure.
Indeed this presidential visit has been a long time coming. It was first scheduled to coincide with the second anniversary of Ottis’ administration in the Month of May but was put off owing to President Tinubus’ foreign engagement at the Vatican.
The day finally came on the 3rd of October when President Tinubu who was ably represented by the Federal Minister of Works led a high powered delegation to Abia to commission the recovered and reconstructed strategic 6.7kilometer Port-harcourt road.
This road corridor cuts through the industrial heart of the city making it a signature project for both the government and people of Abia.
The train took off on the day with the governor arriving at Imo airport on schedule to receive Mr. President, represented by Senator Dave Umahi. The convoy’s first port of call in the line up for the day was the commissioning of the reconstructed and modernized Micheal Opkara Auditorium in Umuahia.
The Federal Minister for Works described the classic edifice delivered by the administration of Dr. Alex Otti is a testament to visionary leadership which aims for the best to come to the people.
The convoy thereafter moved to Aba for a major business of the day; the commissioning of Port-harcourt road and
seven other roads which include Peoples road, Ohanku road, Ajiwe road, Umuatako Street , Gabriel Nwosu Street, Chief Nkporo and spurs Abai, and Ndoki road.
Overwhelmed by the quality of the road projects delivered by the current administration, the representative of President Tinubu, Engr. Dave Umahi eulogised Gov. Otti, describing him as “a miracle worker sent from God”.
The Federal minister went on to relieve his time as a young engineer in Aba working on the Ndiegoro flood control system. He described how difficult it was navigating and at some point his team considered accessing the work site by boat!
The excitement of the day was fully expressed by Abians particularly in Aba and Umuahia with crowds of city residents chanting solidarity songs while the minister and Gov. Otti walked the streets of Enyimba city acknowledging cheers from the people alongside a high powered delegation who graced the occasion.
The entourage further touched base with the people at the Enyimba Stadium in a unique way highlighting the bond that is created when positive leadership and good governance meet the expectations of the people.
The latest visit by President Tinubu though represented marks the second time in the life of this administration that the head of state technically, came calling to ‘God’s Own State’ and this speaks to the very cordial relationship which exists between Tinubu and Otti.
Vice President Kashim Shetima representing President Tinubu came to Abia on February 26, 2024 and commissioned the Privately owned Geometric Power plant at Osisioma Aba alongside some road projects delivered by the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
Though politicians and detractors have sought to score what can be described as cheap political points from the latest visit, it hasn’t taken away the facts of the positive reviews for the current administration in Abia and the notes at the presidency in Abuja of the improved Fortune of Abians under Governor Alex Ottis’ leadership.
Making funds available to states is the statutory responsibility of the President according to law. This responsibility is carried out primaryly through FAAC and JAAC. The President is obligated to sign off on these disbursements to states as members of the Federating unit.
Thereafter, the states are also obligated according to law to judiciously apply the funds so received in carrying out projects which positively impact and improve the life of the people.
The President is not “Santa Claus” – a ‘Father Christmas’ who doles out gifts for the sake of it without the responsibility of accountability! It is therefore a major mis-step and out of place for some to sound as if Abia Governed by Otti receives what is not deserved and therefore should ‘bow and worship’ for getting what is statutory.
The myriad of projects being carried out by the state government is testament to the fact that Gov. Otti has justified and continues to justify the thoughtful application of the monthly allocation received from the center.
The commissioning of the 6.7kilometer Port-harcourt road and seven others in Aba, the retrofitting and modernisation of the M. I. Opkara Auditorium in Umuahia is an endorsement of the judicious use of monthly allocations for the benefit of all by a responsive government – epitomized by the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
The President of the Federal Republic through the Minister for Works promised that more resources would be made available to Abia to embark on more meaningful projects for Abians.
The Federal Government shortly after the commissioning of Port-harcourt road Aba, handed over the reconstruction of the deplorable Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene road to the Abia State government for execution. This represents an expression of faith and confidence by President Tinubus’ administration in Gov. Otti to deliver on major road projects with no room for failure.
With the aforementioned, it is therefore no surprise the President remarked through the Minister of works that Abia will be fully recovered from the locust years at the end of the tenure of Governor Alex Otti.
Some residents of Aba, especially those of Port-harcourt road have called for the road to be named after the Governor in expression of a deep sense of appreciation to the state Chief-Executive.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who apologized for not being able to make it to the commissioning in person owing to urgent and pressing state matters, promised to visit Abia before the end of 2025 most likely in December.
This is in direct response to some political jobbers who seek to promote the president’s absence as a snub, meant to diminish the value of the commissioning and for the President not to be seen as hobnobbing with the Labour party Governor.
This is the domain of disgruntled politicians who aim to profit from promoting crises and discord. Meanwhile what Abians care about is the provision of democracy dividends and to benefit from the government both at the center and in the state.
Abia has attracted the attention of the Federal government and it is a New Dawn for the state as promoted by Governor Alex Otti. It is said that ‘one good tenure deserves another’ and collectively Abians have already endorsed governor Alex Otti for a well deserved second tenure ahead of 2027.
His works have spoken loudly and convincingly – the electoral process exercise in the next two years would most likely be mere formality because we have already made our choice in our hearts. Abia has got it right already!
Abia looks forward to hosting Mr. President in December 2025 as related by Engr. Dave Umahi in furtherance of the cordial relationship existing between the President and Governor Otti.
Abia continues to leapfrog development targets and the people are the better for it.
The worst is behind while the best is ahead – God’s Own State’ will not have a ‘better yesterday’ and the man of the moment is making sure the Land of Abia reaps better days going forward.
Chukwuma Elvis