“THE INFRASTRUCTURAL GURU, THE GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE, THIS IS THE TIME WE CAN ACTUALLY SAY THAT ABIA IS THE STATE OF GOD” — MINISTER UMAHI HAILS GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI DURING JOINT INSPECTION OF ENUGU–PORT HARCOURT EXPRESSWAY

— “Says When it comes to the development of this country, the President does not want to know which party you belong to…”

In a remarkable show of synergy between the Federal and Abia State Governments, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) Dave Nweze Umahi, CON, on Friday, October 31st, joined Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, to inspect ongoing works on various sections of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, calling on contractors to double their pace and ensure timely delivery of the critical infrastructure project.

The joint inspection exercise highlighted the close working relationship between Governor Otti and the Federal Ministry of Works under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, a partnership aimed at restoring Nigeria’s major road networks and boosting economic connectivity across regions.

During the inspection, Minister Umahi, visibly impressed by the massive support shown to Governor Otti by Abians who trooped out en masse to welcome them, described the Governor as an “infrastructural guru” whose visionary leadership and development-driven governance have transformed Abia into “the State of God.”

“The infrastructural guru, the Governor of Abia State, this is the time we can actually say that Abia is the State of God. First, is to thank the Abia people. Look at how you came out, nobody told you that we were coming here to do anything. This is what is called organic love for your Governor,” Umahi said.

The Minister further commended Governor Otti for his outstanding partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on infrastructural development, describing their collaboration as one that transcends political boundaries and focuses solely on service delivery and the betterment of Nigerians.

“When it comes to the development of this country, the President does not want to know which party you belong to.

“The President of this country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has so much love for your Governor, and your Governor loves President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very well,” Umahi emphasized.

The inspection came shortly after the Federal Government withdrew its earlier threat to terminate the portion of the road contract handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) due to poor performance. The decision followed Governor Otti’s intervention and assurance to the Federal Government that the company would return to site, accelerate progress, and deliver quality work.

Minister Umahi revealed that the Federal Ministry of Works had introduced the use of reinforced rigid pavement in strategic sections of the expressway to enhance its durability and longevity, describing it as part of the renewed engineering standards under the Tinubu administration.

The Minister also acknowledged Governor Otti’s role in resolving the misunderstanding between the Federal Government and CCECC, noting that the Governor’s involvement was instrumental in getting the contractors back to site.

“Your Excellency, this location is the worst part of this road. And, so I told them, you have to do the first 500 meters, part of it is on concrete, like what you are doing, and then coated with asphalt. And let me say that you are the one that has brokered peace between the Federal Government and CCECC as far as this road is concerned.

“I think that the reason they have returned fully back on site is because they are also working for you.”

Umahi further remarked that the improved travel time between the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and Onne Port which now takes about 30 minutes, was evidence of President Tinubu’s renewed focus on infrastructure-driven national development.

He also hailed Governor Otti’s achievements in Aba, noting the city’s newfound orderliness and cleanliness.

“I was passing through Aba today, you will not understand, you can pick a pin on the streets of Aba. You will not see any disorderliness because of this great man, the Governor of Abia State,” Umahi said, amid applause.

In his remarks, Governor Otti thanked Minister Umahi for granting Abia State approval to take over several Federal road projects within the state and for heeding his appeal to withdraw the termination threat against CCECC.

“It is so important that roads are constructed because that is what gives you access. If you don’t have roads, then you are stuck,” the Governor said.

He lamented the deplorable state of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway over the past decade, noting that it had forced travelers to use alternative routes through Etche to reach Abia from Port Harcourt.

Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government on critical infrastructure, listing ongoing projects such as the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, Owerrinta–Umuikaa dualization, Onuimo–Tower dual carriageway, Ohafia–Arochukwu Road, and the recently completed Omenuko Bridge, all Federal roads undertaken by the state in partnership with Abuja.

“These are Federal roads, but we are partnering with the Federal Government to fix them,” he emphasized.

The Governor stressed that governance, not politics, remains his administration’s focus saying, “I have said in the past, once elections are over, governance takes over. Opposition doesn’t mean that you would be telling lies or that you see something that is good and say it’s bad, that is witchcraft.”

Governor Otti thanked Abians for their “unprecedented organic love” and prayed for God’s blessings upon every citizen for their unwavering support.

The inspection exercise ended with renewed commitments from both the Federal and Abia State Governments to deliver the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway as part of their shared vision for sustainable infrastructure and regional integration.