CELEBRATING OUR SHARED REWARD
Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at a Post-Projects Commissioning Rally held at Practicing School Uzuakoli, Bende LGA on Friday, June 20, 2025
Protocols
- The greatest impact we have made as a government is not in the length of roads constructed or reconstructed in urban and rural communities, as impressive as our record on that front is; the excitement is also not entirely about the fact that moribund health institutions are now functioning, or just because workers and pensioners now know with certainty that their entitlements would be paid as and when due, a complete departure from the ugly practices of the past. While it is true that we have improved the opportunities for growth and self-actualisation for millions of Abians through unprecedented investments in infrastructure projects, social services and transparent recruitment of qualified persons into the workforce; our biggest stride in the last 24 months, nonetheless, is the restoration of public confidence in government and its institutions.
- Our administration has demonstrated that governance is about service, responding promptly to public concerns and applying public funds to nothing other than projects and programmes that uplift the people. The optimism and joyful outlook in our expression is therefore never about what we have gained personally but the fact that we now have a government that puts the people first. Our people are happy, not for reasons of individual benefits and patronage but on the strength of the conviction that the government will consistently make the right judgment on matters of public interest.
- On our part, we work as hard as we do because we understand the weight of public expectations — the sincere desire to see Abia change for the better in our lifetime. Our commitment to making a difference is therefore not about applause but in fulfilment of a pact — a promise to rebuild and restore.
- The present dispensation in Abia comes very close to the essential ideals of democracy wherein the expectations of the public are completely aligned with the priorities of the leadership. The important strides we have recorded on multiple development fronts in the last 2 years present very convincing proof that when the will of the people as expressed in a free and fair electoral contest is respected, things change quickly. The development footprints of the administration are extending quickly to several places at the same time because we appreciate that every community holds an important stake in the New Abia project.
Thank you for your faith, goodwill and continuing support because they are the key enablers of the holistic turnaround Abia is witnessing today.
- This afternoon, we have gathered to renew our pact and celebrate the important milestones we have recorded. Even then, an important part of our mission in Uzuakoli today is to announce that the best is yet to come. This region is not just pivotal to our development agenda; it actually holds the key to our agro transformation programme aimed at achieving food sufficiency, job creation and improved foreign exchange earnings. We understand that it would take a lot of efforts to unlock the abundant economic resources along this corridor but if there is anything we have demonstrated since we assumed office 2 years ago, it is the fact that we are always proud to take on seemingly intractable challenges and achieve results that no one thought possible.
- The timely reconstruction of the 67.6 kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road, now christened Joe Irukwu Way, provides convincing proof that we are on a clear mission to rebuild, restore and reposition our land for new opportunities. We do not have the exact figures yet but experts are projecting that for reason of that road project alone, the GDP of this region would rise significantly over the next 12 months following the opening of new economic corridors, resuscitation of dormant agro assets and quick access to urban markets.
- Our overarching vision is to fundamentally cut the infrastructure gap between the communities around here and the urban centres by investing in projects that take out the push factors for rural-urban migration. Beyond the roads, we are also tackling the challenge of poor electricity supply in this zone. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the situation would be drastically different in view of our programme of energy independence for the Umuahia ring-fenced area which covers communities within parts of the central and entire northern districts of the State. I am glad to report that we have made some progress in the last few weeks. Our target of full transition to energy independence before December 2026 remains feasible.
- Recall that the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA) has been set up following the signing of the Abia State Electricity Bill, 2025, into law and the subsequent inauguration of the management board in April. ASERA, as constituted, will provide the institutional framework for the operations of the electricity market in Abia, stimulate private sector investments and guarantee international best practices across multiple layers of the market.
- The framework we have put in place for the electricity value chain in the State holds the key to the root and branch transformation of the market — opening the space for micro, small, medium and big players. Beyond establishing the template for stable power supply, ASERA’s operational outlay will guarantee that communities like Uzuakoli and other districts in Bende, Umuahia North and South, Ikwuano, Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Arochukwu and Umunneochi will have a firm handle on the electricity value chain in their domains, leveraging the resources and infrastructure that support their needs.
- You may also recall that just recently, we signed a deal with a multinational telecoms service provider for the laying of fibre optics cables in all parts of the State. The project is set up to support high speed internet connectivity for work, business and general needs. The implication is that very soon, every part of Abia will not just have reliable mobile telephony services; families and businesses will also be able to seamlessly interact with their loved ones and partners in different parts of the world at the click of a button no matter what part of the State they live or operate from.
- Let me quickly offer free advisory services to hoteliers and entrepreneurs in the hospitality value chain across the State: start putting your facilities in top shape ahead of the yuletide season. Reports available to me indicate that tens of thousands of people living in different corners of the world would be coming home with their families and friends by the end of the year to celebrate with all of us. It is common knowledge that demands for hospitality services usually shoot up around the Christmas season but we are anticipating more than just a marginal uptick in demand this time, the projection is that we shall have an even bigger surge than we did last year. Thankfully, we still have about 5 months to put everything in place to welcome high value customers for the Christmas and New Year festivities. The State is determined to work with all the relevant stakeholders to make Abia a top travel destination this December so it is either you raise the bar or you are left behind.
- Things will take a different turn for this year’s yuletide celebrations and I have since directed the Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy to work closely with LGA mayors and community leaders to create a calendar of important cultural festivals happening in different parts of the State this December and integrate same into our general line-up of events. Such programmes should be properly planned, publicised and set up to attract tourists.
- As I conclude, let me congratulate all of us for the success of our projects-commissioning activities in all the senatorial districts. I am glad to report that in the last 10 days, we have commissioned 23 new projects across several LGAs. The breakdown shows that 18 roads and 5 primary healthcare projects were cmmissioned for public use in over a dozen communities. The successful execution of these projects points to our determination to repay your faith in our government. May I again assure you that every community in the State is captured in our development programme so as you return home, tell everyone in your place that we shall be visiting soon, either to flag off a new project or commission a completed one.
- As I announced in Umuahia last week, everyone of us is encouraged to join the campaign against the vandalisation of public property by criminals and their patrons. I had since directed the security agencies to pay particular attention to the activities of scrap metal dealers. Anyone found patronising vandals shall be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. For communities that allow vandals to damage public property in their domains without accountability, the government shall henceforth respond by interrogating the leaders and persons of influence within those communities. If they are found culpable through negligence or leadership weakness, we shall initiate punitive administrative actions against them. The only option for all of us therefore is to sit up and take full ownership of every public infrastructure project in our communities.
- Lastly, let me heartily congratulate the State leadership of Abia Arise led by Hon. Nkem Okoro and his team for the successful inauguration of the local leadership of the structure in various LGAs. We thank you for your sacrifices and pray God to reward you. It is also important to remind you that the reward for a good job is more work so do not rest on your oars. I would like to reiterate that Abia Arise is more than just a political umbrella for our supporters; it is a non-partisan vehicle for effective grassroots mobilisation, political enlightenment and of course, projection and promotion of persons with sound leadership ideas for political offices in the wards, LGAs, zones and the State. I would like to invite everyone who shares in the New Abia leadership philosophy to identify with the local chapter of Abia Arise in their communities and be part of the campaign for good governance in the State. May I, however, add that membership, like everything else within the structure, is entirely voluntary. The pursuit of good governance in Abia remains a life-long quest so the structure will remain alive, even after we make our exit from office. The objective is to ensure that beyond our tenure of office, Abia will not fall back to the mediocrity of the past.
- Thank you for listening and may God bless Abia State.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,
June 20, 2025.
