Opening Abia’s gateway to prosperity and Gov. Otti’s urban renewal agenda
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
Usually, the first impression that a visitor draws at the entry point of any town or city lasts long, which explains the reason town planners in modern times would always take time to design solid road infrastructure and other aesthetic landmark structures, such as like towers and water fountains, at the entrances of modern cities.
The quality of roads leading into a city will certainly create a mental picture of the developmental milestones of the leaders of such places, state or country.
In Nigeria, the construction of roads and other social infrastructures, such as schools and hospitals, is a responsibility shared between the federal and subnational governments.
Though some roads are designated as “federal roads”, the various state governments can equally undertake the construction and reconstruction of such roads with the approval of the Federal Government. Most federal roads linking Abia and the neighbouring seven states had been in a most deplorable state for many years.
The most painful part of the story is that other states like Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Rivers and recently Imo reconstructed their own stretch of roads leading into their state capital cities, while Abia’s portion had remained in a sorry state. Over the years, Abia became a subject of caricature among actors in the flourishing comedy industry in Nigeria.
The actors often made jokes with Abia’s dilapidated roads. One of such popular jokes was “that whenever you are travelling on a road and suddenly get a portion with chain portholes, you can be sure you have entered Abia State”.
Sad and derogatory as it may sound, the fact remains that it was the reality on ground. Prior to the former President Mohammadu Bahria’s administration that started a serious work on Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway, journeys into Abia was simply hellish.
It took road users between two and three hours to travel from Umuahia, the state capital, to Okigwe, a neighbouring town in Imo State, because of the poor condition of that axis of the expressway, as against thirty minutes.
Travelling from Umuahia to Aba was the same experience, while Port Harcourt was completely cut off from Aba via the expressway.
Also, a journey from Umuahia to Arochukwu, an ancient kingdom in the state, was almost a mission impossible. Commuters had to link the town through Akwa Ibom State, after the South-South state had fixed their own portions of their roads. Many other federal roads, such as the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia- Bende- Ohafia Road, Arochukwu- Ohafia Road, Aba-Port Harcourt Road were in the most deplorable state after several years of politicking with them by politicians.
But help has finally come from God with the emergence of Gov. Alex Otti, who is currently leading a massive infrastructure revolution in the state.
He has raised the bar in respect of road construction and reconstruction above clannish sentiments often deployed by mercantile political leaders in the past.
He has vowed that he would not distinguish between federal, state and even local government roads in line with his administration’s resolve to fix the road infrastructure in the state.
In keeping with this vow, the Aba-Port Harcourt Road, Arochukwu- Ohafia Road, Igwu River Bridge, popularly called Omenuko Bridge, 5.5km Owerrinta-Umuikaa Road, Umuahia-Onuimo Road, which were all federal projects, are now being reconstructed by the Otti-led administration.
Beyond the reconstruction of these federal roads, the State Government is also doing massive work on many roads linking various towns and villages in the state.
The Aba urban renewal agenda of Gov. Otti is also receiving all the attention it requires. Aba, popularly known as the Japan of Africa, is gradually regaining its lost glory with the reconstruction of many abandoned intercity roads, installation of solar-powered streetlights, desilting of blocked drains and regulat refuse disposal.
Given the success so far recorded, Gov. Otti is already looking beyond infrastructural upgrade of Aba and Umuahia.
His attention is now focused on expanding the city to adjourning communities to create major urban the state.
Speaking during the official commissioning of the construction of the long abandoned 12.6 Kilometres Ohanze – Ntighauzu – Obete – Umuoha – Oberete – Abiaka – Akirika Obu Road in Obingwa and Ukwa East LGAs of the state, Gov. Otti described the road as economically strategic.
He said that the project aligned with his administration’s development vision for the expansion of Aba, and expressed his commitment to expanding the urban boundaries of the Enyimba City by extending quality infrastructure to its environs.
“This road is an economic livewire, whose abandonment for several years by past administrations shows profound neglect that parts of the state has suffered.
“This project, I have to admit, is very dear to my heart because it aligns perfectly with the development vision of the administration for the expansion of Aba as a major urban destination.
“We are committed to expanding the urban boundaries of our beloved Enyimba City by extending quality infrastructure to the outskirts as to increase the appeal to prosperity and investment, businesses and residents. Quality roads are only the foundation,” Gov. Otti said.
Also speaking during the flag-off of the reconstruction and dualisation of the 5.5 kilometres Owerrinta – Umuikaa Road, the governor maintained that his administration would not abandon projects it initiated, adding that funds are made available before flagging-off of projects.
“We would create an inviting experience for road users coming into Abia from the neighbouring states of Imo and Anambra,” he added.
In a speech, entitled, “A Gateway to the New Abia,” he said: “As I promised in the early days of this administration, we came prepared to change many ugly experiences road users coming into Abia from other states usually have.
“Never again will bad roads be used to describe Abia State. Roads are more than just infrastructure but the foundation of prosperity and enablers of holistic development.
“For us as a government, the economic transformation of all parts of the state is at the heart of our governance agenda, road infrastructure development is, therefore, not just a priority, it is a major yardstick for measuring progress in our stride to reposition Abia as a prime destination for investments.
As Gov. Otti continues in his determination to rewrite the battered history of the state, all hands must be on deck to ensure that public infrastructures are protected from harsh impacts.
Having burnfires or burning other materials on the roads as well as subjecting them to other misuse, especially by mechanics, should be discouraged because of the corrosive impact on the asphalt, leading to unexpected road failure.
#Gov. Otti is Building the new Abia!
#To God be glory!
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, a journalist and public affairs analyst, writes from Umuahia.