NEWS
“It Is Really Impressive To See That A State Like Abia Is Experiencing This Kind Of Transformation“ — Presidency Applauds Governor Alex Otti’s Development Strides
…says “We know that in the past years, Abia has not recognised the kind of advancement needed in terms of infrastructure.“
The Presidency has commended the remarkable transformation taking place across Abia State under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, describing the scale of infrastructural development witnessed across the state as impressive and worthy of national recognition.
The commendation came from the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Akin Dare, CON, following an extensive inspection tour of federal and state government projects in Abia by members of the Renewed Hope Media Team.
Speaking with journalists in Umuahia after the tour on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Mr. Dare expressed satisfaction with the pace of development in the state, noting that Governor Otti’s administration has successfully embarked on projects that are directly impacting the lives of the people while laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth.
According to him, the visible improvements in road infrastructure, transportation, housing, power, and other critical sectors reflect a government focused on delivering tangible results.
“It is really impressive to see that a state like Abia is experiencing this kind of transformation. From road construction, transportation, of course, housing and other facilities under the span of three years under Dr. Alex Otti.
“Even the electrification project that we saw, 33 kilometres on the Ohafia stretch, the governor is touching on the critical infrastructure necessary for a state like Abia.
“We know that in the past years, Abia has not recognised the kind of advancement needed in terms of infrastructure. Now you have a governor who is touching on the basis, who is working with stakeholders, who is though in his Labour Party, who is also working with the federal government,“ Chief Dare said.
The Presidential aide further highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments regardless of political affiliations, emphasizing that development should always take precedence over partisan interests.
Dare noted that the growing partnership between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government has become a model of productive collaboration capable of accelerating development and improving the welfare of citizens.
“So when it comes to governance, it’s about collaboration. When it comes to development of your people, it doesn’t essentially have to wear party colours. Because when you play too much party politics, development suffers and your people suffer.
“That’s what we’ve seen. The collaboration between the state and the federal government is impressive. In terms of rate, I said it’s impressive.
“It covers various sectors, human capital development, solid infrastructure. So it’s impressive.
“We see the airport project going on between the federal government and the state government,“ he stated.
The inspection exercise took the delegation across several landmark projects being executed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti, many of which have become symbols of the state’s ongoing infrastructure renaissance.
Conducting the delegation round the project sites, the honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, alongside the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, explained that the reconstructed 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, which was once largely impassable, was fully funded and delivered by the Abia State Government.
They noted that the strategic road corridor now serves as a major economic lifeline connecting communities across Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial Zones, improving transportation, trade, and access to economic opportunities.
The Commissioners further explained that the road links several agrarian communities to the state capital, thereby enhancing agricultural value chains and stimulating rural economic development. The road is also equipped with modern street lighting infrastructure, consistent with the administration’s commitment to building safe and modern road networks.
Speaking on the achievements recorded in the power sector, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, disclosed that the government is close to restoring electricity to communities in Ohafia that have remained without power supply for about eight years due to vandalism.
He revealed that the state government has completed a 20-kilometre 33KV power line from Ihechiowa in Arochukwu to Ebem in Ohafia, terminating at a newly installed 7.5MVA injection substation. According to him, final installations are currently underway to restore electricity across the entire Ohafia Local Government Area.
The Commissioner also announced that the state government is nearing the completion of a transaction to acquire a majority stake in the Abia operations of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, a move expected to enhance power distribution and extend stable electricity supply to the remaining eight local government areas outside the coverage area of Geometric Power in Aba.
On housing development, the Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije, informed the delegation that the recently flagged-off Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia represents a major federal intervention aimed at addressing housing needs and expanding access to affordable homes for residents.
Also contributing during the tour, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, recalled the deplorable condition of many roads now reconstructed by the Otti administration, particularly the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Abiriba–Ohafia Road.
He noted that the road had remained in a state of neglect and deterioration for nearly two decades before Governor Otti’s intervention, making its reconstruction one of the most significant achievements of the administration.
Projects inspected by the Renewed Hope Media Team included the three sections of the 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, the four-lane Tower–Onuimo Road now renamed Dr. Uma Ukpai Road, the iconic Omenuko Bridge, the 30-kilometre Ozuabam–Ndiokereke–Amuvi Arochukwu Road, the Renewed Hope Housing Estates in Umuahia and Onu-Inyang Bende, as well as the recently commissioned Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.
The tour was attended by several senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr. Obioma Nwogbe; Director General of the Abia State Strategic Communication Bureau, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu; State Director of Information, Lady Chika Orji-Nwoke, among other top government officials.
The visit offered members of the Renewed Hope Media Team a firsthand assessment of the developmental strides being recorded across Abia State and reinforced growing national recognition of Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to infrastructure renewa
l, economic growth, and people-centered governance.