THE COMING AIRFORCE BASE TO ABIA: OTTI SCORES ANOTHER KEY GOAL
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.
The tempo of developmental activities in Abia State has been on the upswing since Dr. Alex Otti assumed office as the Governor in 2023. A lot has happened in the last three years of Otti`s leadership. And the Government has continued to execute many landmark projects which have helped to transform the infrastructural landscape of the State.
In the area of road infrastructure, Governor Otti has set records with the recovery of several strategic roads that suffered decades of dilapidation under the watch of the previous administrations in the State. He has reconstructed and expanded many important road corridors within Abia, thus making intra- and inter-city transportation seamless. Otti has also excelled in his urban renewal agenda which has seen the key cities of Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia and Arochukwu wearing new and better look.
With the extensive works he has done in Aba, the once degraded and abandoned Enyimba City has been resurrected and revamped. A visit to Aba now reveals a city that has bounced back to life with, its lost glory. The city which used to be the commercial and industrial heartbeat of the Eastern Region is back into reckoning with vastly improved infrastructure, including steady power supply. All the business owners that trooped out of Aba in the wake of its collapse are back with their businesses. Aba is booming, once again. And the people are happy. All these transformations are courtesy of the ingenuity and vision of one man: Alex Chioma Otti.
The latest good news is the attraction of a Nigeria Air Force Training Base in the State. This holds significant promise and prospects for the good people of Abia State, given the derivable economic and security benefits arising from the location of such a strategic facility in the State. Otti has approved 100 hectares of land within the Abia Airport Project Site in Nsulu for the Nigerian Air Force to build the training base. The Governor gave the approval in his office last week Tuesday while receiving a delegation of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Ground Training Command led by the Commander, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde. He appreciated the NAF for the decision to set up the base and a training centre in the Abia Airport Project Site, which is being built in collaboration with the Federal Government, and urged the Commander to continue to support his government to ensure that crime and criminality are eradicated in Abia State.
The Commander, had earlier in his address, noted that the approved 100 hectares of land would enable the establishment of a larger Air Force facility, including a proposed Special Forces Training Centre for jungle warfare operations. He explained that the Training Centre would significantly enhance operational readiness and strengthen security not only in Abia State but also across the South East region. He further requested for the quick processing of the Certificate of Occupancy to enable the Air Force authorities incorporate the proposed base into their 2026 operational plans.
The attraction of the NAF Training Base is a significant achievement in the development agenda of Abia State under the keen watch of Otti. It holds very bright prospects for the people of Abia, especially the teeming youths. The flag-off of the facility would open up employment opportunities for various categories of construction workers, including skilled professionals and artisans. Opportunities would also exist for Abia youths who would want to train as Air Men.
The presence of the base would also make positive impact on the economy of the State, particularly the various communities within and around Nsulu. The multiplier effect of the location of the base may result in the springing up of a new Airport city to respond essentially to the economic needs of the population at the Air Force Base. This would enhance the economic power of the people while promoting shared prosperity.
But much more importantly, the presence of the Training Base would impact considerably on the security of Abia State and its populace. And an improved security would help to boost investor-confidence in the State, leading to increased local and foreign investments.
This partnership with the Nigeria Air Force is a welcome development and deserves commendation. Abia is definitely on the rise.
May it continue to prevail
Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com