DEVELOPMENT
ABA SET FOR ANOTHER PHASE OF URBAN RECOVERY AS GOV. OTTI ANNOUNCES IMMINENT RECONSTRUCTION OF URATTA AND OLD EXPRESS ROADS
…as Gov. Otti Charges Residents on Voter Registration, Orders Restoration of Power to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abayi
In a decisive move to consolidate the ongoing transformation of Aba and entrench its status as the commercial heartbeat of the South-East, the Abia State Government has announced plans to commence the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road, two strategic arteries critical to the full economic recovery of the Enyimba City.
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, made the disclosure on Sunday, January 25th, during a Church service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Abayi Ariaria, Aba, in his characteristic tradition of attending church services unannounced.
Addressing the congregation, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rescuing Aba from years of infrastructural neglect and restoring its lost glory as a hub of industry, innovation, and commerce.
“We have been trying to recover Aba and I think that we have recovered Aba. But there is still some work to do.
“So, very soon, we will flag-off the reconstruction of Uratta Road.
“And, as we are flagging-off the reconstruction of Uratta Road, we are also flagging-off the reconstruction of Old Express Road.
“And, you can be sure it will be done the same way we do our things, very solid; by solid construction companies,” Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti further assured the people that the projects would be executed with speed and quality, emphasizing that the ultimate objective is the total recovery of Aba.
“I’m sure that very soon, we will complete those, so that we can complete the full recovery of Aba,” He added.
The Governor used the opportunity to express concern over the disparity between Aba’s large population and the relatively low number of votes recorded during elections. He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise and mobilize others within their communities to do same.
“I want to appeal to you, if you see the number in Aba and the number of votes that come out from Aba, it’s like darkness and daylight.
“So, I want to charge you, if you have not registered, please go and register.
“It is important; the only way you can ensure that we don’t go back to Egypt is for you to vote. You cannot vote if you are not registered.
“If you do not vote, you have voted for the wrong people. I’m not the one who said it, somebody said it, not voting is voting for the wrong person,” Gov. Otti added.
From St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the Governor proceeded to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Abayi Ariaria, Aba, where he was warmly received by the parish priest, clergy, and congregation.
Responding promptly to a request by the parish priest regarding the prolonged disconnection of the Church from public electricity supply, Governor Otti directed the Honourable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities to visit the Church on Tuesday and commence the process of restoring public power supply to the Church and surrounding affected areas.
This directive aligns with the administration’s recent intervention that restored electricity to several communities in Asa Land after more than nine years of total blackout, underscoring the Governor’s resolve to tackle critical infrastructure deficits across the State.
Governor Otti expressed appreciation to the Christian community for their consistent support and prayers for his administration, describing his government as one founded on Christian values.
“Thank you for all the support you have been giving your government. This is a Government brought by Christendom,” the Governor asserted.
In their separate remarks, Ven. Michael Nwaubani of St. Paul’s Anglican Church and Rev. Fr. Jephthah Asuoha of St. Mary’s Catholic Church assured the Governor of sustained prayers and support, declaring that their members’ votes are for him because of his outstanding performance. Their declarations were met with thunderous applause and joyful shouts from the congregations, followed by fervent prayers for the Governor, his family, entourage, and the peace and progress of Abia State.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidimma Otti; the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Nmeregeni; other members of the House; top government officials; and notably, the Mayor of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, who joined the Governor in solidarity with the people and in support of the ongoing Aba urban renewal agenda.
The announcement of the reconstruction of Uratta and Old Express Roads further reinforces Governor Otti’s resolve to deepen infrastructure renewal, stimulate economic activities, and permanently reposition Aba as a moder
n, functional, and investor-friendly city.