NEWS
“I Am a Living Witness” — Abian Media Advocate, Charisma Obioha Hails Governor Alex Otti Over Historic 67.7km Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, Cites Rising Land Value, Reduced Transport Costs and Fewer Accidents
...says “…My Polling Unit and Ward Is All Yours!!!”
A media person and advocate of good governance, Charisma Obioha, has commended the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for the construction of the 67.7-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, describing it as the longest stretch of road ever executed in the history of the state.
Obioha, who hails from Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area, said the project is already delivering tangible economic and social benefits to communities located along the corridor.
Reflecting on the personal impact of the project, he revealed that his family owns a large parcel of land along the road, where a school established by his mother is located.
“My Mother’s school (Mercy Paragon Schools) happens to be on the left side of this road… It sits on 75 plots of land owned by my father, located between Uzuakoli and Lohum,” he said.
According to him, the road infrastructure is gradually transforming the economic outlook of communities in the area, noting that development benefits often take time to fully materialize.
“Just Incase you are still asking the economic impact or how much money Otti’s road infrastructure has brought to Abians. I am a living witness. It may not come immediately but it will.
“Rome was never built in a day or even a year or two,” he stated.
Obioha further noted that property values within the community have already started appreciating as a result of the improved road network and easier access to nearby towns and markets.
“Do you know how much a plot land now costs in my village now? (Uzuakoli),” he asked.
He also highlighted the impact of the road on agricultural transportation, explaining that farmers now spend significantly less to move produce from rural farmlands to urban markets such as Umuahia.
“Do you know that the price of transporting japu (Cassava) and akpu from our farmlands to Umuahia and Abia has been slashed by three times?” he said.
In addition, he disclosed that improved road conditions have contributed to a major decline in road accidents along the route.
“Do you know that the number of accidents on this road have been reduced by four times,” he added.
Reacting to criticisms suggesting that the governor is merely repainting previously executed projects, Obioha dismissed the claims while expressing admiration for the scale of infrastructure development currently ongoing in the state.
“Someone said Otti is only repainting the projects he did. Dede Otti Biko repainti wa oh!!!” he said.
He concluded by expressing strong political support for the governor ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Abians will not make the mistake of not re-electing you come 2027. My polling unit and ward is all yours!!!” he stated.
Obioha made the remarks in a statement issued from Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on March 6, 2026.