…Flags off reconstruction of 5.5km Owerrinta-Umuikaa road
Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has said that the state ranks among few states with zero indebtedness to contractors.
According to him, the fact is contained in the report of the National Bureau of Statistics.
Governor Otti made this known while flagging off the reconstruction and dualization of the 5.5 kilometres Owerrinta-Umuikaa road.
Otti said that on completion, the road would create an inviting experience for road users coming into Abia from the neighbouring states of Imo and Anambra.
The governor, in his speech titled “A Gateway To The New Abia” said that never again would bad roads be used to identify the state.
“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,” Otti declared.
He said that roads were more than just infrastructure, but were 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 agenda.
Road infrastructural development is therefore not just a priority, it is a major yardstick for measuring progress in the stride to reposition Abia as a prime destination for investments.
“What sets us apart as a government is that before we move to any road for a flag-off ceremony like this one , plans must have been made for funds to effectively execute and deliver the project on schedule,” Otti said.
He disclosed that the report of the National Bureau of Statistics confirmed that Abia State ranks among few states with zero indebtedness to contractors.
“I am glad to report now that Abia ranks as one of the few states in the country with zero indebtedness to contractors . I did not say this, the National Bureau of Statistics said so.
“This distinction speaks to our prudence in management of public resources and more fundamentally, an end to the days of abandon projects because not only do we make funds available, but we also have systems in place to ensure that we give our roads to competent and tested contractors that have track records of performance”, Otti reasserted.
He reiterated that he has no distinction between federal and state roads. “Although, a federal road (Owerrinta), as I mentioned last week in Abam, where we flagged-off the construction of the Omenuko bridge, every stretch of road within the boundaries of Abia is of great importance to us, whether designated federal, state or local government roads at any rate”.
Rowland Chinwendu, member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Uzor Nwachukwu Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Chiedozie Nwogwugwu, Mayor Isialangwa South, in their various speeches, said that Isiala Ngwa South has never witnessed the kind of infrastructural development it is witnessing under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti.
They thanked the governor for his commitment to developing Abia State and particularly Isialangwa South and assured him of their support.
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