NEWS
ASTOPU Aba Zone Applauds Governor Alex Otti Over Commissioning of Ovom Erosion Reclamation Project, Reaffirms ‘Obi Uto Ndi Keke’ Title
The Chairman of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Aba Zone, Hon. Victor Azubuike, has commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for the successful commissioning of the long-abandoned Ovom erosion reclamation project in Aba, describing it as a bold step toward restoring economic vitality and expanding opportunities for transport operators in the commercial city.
In a statement issued on behalf of Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU) Aba Zone, Hon. Azubuike said the transformation of the once-devastated erosion site at Ovom, Aba marks a turning point for residents, traders, and tricycle operators who had suffered years of neglect and restricted access due to the environmental damage.
For years, the Ovom axis had been rendered nearly impassable, limiting commercial activities and forcing many tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, to avoid the area due to safety risks, frequent vehicle damage, and low passenger traffic.
According to Hon. Azubuike, the erosion site had not only swallowed land but also stifled economic prospects for transport operators and businesses operating within the corridor.
He noted that Governor Otti’s decision to reclaim and rehabilitate the area reflects the administration’s commitment to confronting difficult infrastructural challenges that previous governments had overlooked.
The Governor, during the commissioning, emphasized that reclaiming Ovom was a deliberate move to restore connectivity, revive commerce, and reintegrate previously cut-off communities into Aba’s economic mainstream.
Azubuike stated that with the road now fully restored and motorable, tricycle operators can safely expand their routes into neighborhoods that were previously inaccessible. He explained that the improved road network would reduce wear and tear on vehicles, increase daily trip cycles, enhance passenger safety, and ultimately boost the earnings of operators.
Beyond the direct benefits to Keke riders, the ASTOPU chairman observed that the project would significantly increase internally generated revenue for the state. As commercial activities expand and transport routes grow, more tricycles will be licensed to operate in the area, thereby broadening the revenue base through levies and operational fees.
He described the Ovom project as a strategic investment that will stimulate small businesses, reopen trading corridors, and strengthen Aba’s position as a commercial hub.
Azubuike further reaffirmed that tricycle operators across Aba have no regrets bestowing on Governor Otti the title “Obi Uto Ndi Keke,” meaning the peaceful and protective father and joy giver/bringer of Keke riders. He said the Governor has consistently implemented policies and infrastructural projects that create a more enabling environment for transport operators to work with dignity and improved safety.
According to him, the successful reclamation of Ovom stands as proof that the title was well-deserved, as it reflects leadership that directly safeguards the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking tricycle operators contributing daily to the state’s economy.
He concluded that the transformation of Ovom from a neglected erosion site into a functional roadway symbolizes a new era of purposeful governance in Abia State, one that prioritizes restoration, economic expansion, and inclusive development.