OTTI`S WORKS ELICIT WIDESPREAD JOY AS THE PRESIDENT VISITS ABIA
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.
Aba and Umuahia, the two major cities of Abia State, were agog with unbridled jubilation and joy as the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited last Friday to commission many road projects and other critical public infrastructure executed by the Governor Alex Otti-led administration. Though the President was not physically present as a result of other exigencies of state duties, he was ably represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi who was overwhelmed by the rapid progress that has been made by Otti within only two years in office.
The people of Abia who are overjoyed by the transformative works Otti had undertaken to turn the fortunes of the State around, trooped out in their thousands to receive the President and thank him for coming to commission the landmark projects executed with precision.
The Governor had through various media channels called on the people of Abia to troop out in their numbers to give the President a rousing reception when he stepped into the State. They heeded the clarion call and rolled out the drums and cymbals in a convivial atmosphere to express their joy and adulation over the breathtaking infrastructural revolution that has taken place in Abia under Otti`s watch.
It was a glorious moment for which every Abian was proud of. The physical absence of the President neither dampened the spirit nor enthusiasm of the teeming number of the people who came to be part of the commissioning ceremonies. They were warm and in high spirits as they received Mr. President`s representative with an array of dancing troupes and masquerades. What was on display was an organic mass of overflowing human beings who were genuinely grateful for the great things that have been happening in Abia since Otti assumed the mantle of leadership.
Engr. Umahi was overwhelmed at the display of love, affection and admiration being shown by the people towards their governor as he moved from one project site to the other.
The commissioning of the projects commenced with the Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia which the Otti administration has transformed into a world-class conference facility. As at two years ago when Otti commenced the reconstruction and remodeling of the centre, it was an abandoned structure and out of public use. The modest facility constructed by the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu administration in 1992 served as a venue for hosting of public meetings and conferences. The succeeding PDP administrations could not maintain the place until it became completely dysfunctional and abandoned.
Today, through the intervention of Governor Otti, the Okpara Auditorium is completely transformed, and it is a beautiful piece of architecture to behold. The Auditorium now boasts of an ultra-modern and well-equipped conference hall with state-of-the-art offices and committee rooms in addition to expanded and beautified parking lots that can accommodate a lot of cars. Umahi was wowed and did not hesitate to pay tribute to Otti for the yeoman`s job he is doing in Abia State.
When the presidential train moved into Aba, the Enyimba city was agog and bustled with thousands of residents who were ecstatic in their excitements over the audacious reclamation of the city from the doldrums by the Otti magic in less than two years. The icing on the cake was the famous Port Harcourt Road, which was abandoned for over 30 years by the previous administrations. The commissioning of the road was the high point of the presidential visit. The crowd of appreciative residents were uncontrollable as they surged forward to pay homage to the man that has made the difference in their once dilapidated and forlorn environment. They were equally happy that Mr. President through his representative came to identify with them on the joyous occasion.
The Port Harcourt Road means a lot to the people of Aba and the teeming business community. For 30 years, the road was left to rot and deteriorate beyond rescue. The road was impassable and transformed into a badly ravaged gully site, with landlords, residents and business operators abandoning the area and relocating elsewhere. They never thought that that economic corridor can ever be recovered. But to the glory of God, Otti used construction giant, Julius Berger, to reclaim the place and transformed it beyond imagination. It was, therefore, no wonder that at the commissioning, Umahi described Governor Otti as a magician and miracle worker.
He commended Otti and expressed the confidence of Mr. President in the capacity of the governor to take Abia to greater heights. He reiterated the commitment of the President to continue to partner with Otti to ensure that the dividends of democracy are duly delivered to the people of Abia State. Satisfied with the quality of works Otti has done in Abia, Umahi announced the decision of the Federal Government to hand over the strategic Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road to Abia State Government to reconstruct on its behalf. This singular action is nothing but a clear affirmation of implicit trust in Otti as a go-getter.
Many other critical road projects were also commissioned in Aba. They included the Ohanku Road, Ndoki Road, Ajiwe Road, Umuatako Road, Chief Nkoro Street, and Gabriel Nwosu Street. These are key arteries that serve as lifeline to many Aba residents who ply their trade in the Enyimba city. Otti is doing well and the people are very happy with his sterling performance. The future still beckons to him.
May Abia continue to prevail!
Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com