“From Potholes to Progress: Abia’s Electric Roadmap Sparks a Transportation Revolution Under Gov. Otti”
In a landmark moment for Abia State, Governor Alex Otti’s administration has turned decades of infrastructural neglect into a beacon of modern governance, with the reconstructed Port Harcourt Road in Aba standing as its crowning achievement. Julius Berger, the construction giant, has begun final road-washing operations ahead of the official commissioning by President Bola Tinubu, symbolizing the rebirth of a critical artery abandoned for over 30 years. Once a crumbling relic of failed promises, the road now buzzes with renewed economic activity, its smooth asphalt easing traffic for businesses and commuters alike—a stark contrast to the gridlock that once defined Aba’s commercial heart.
Building on this momentum, Governor Otti has unveiled an audacious leap into sustainable mobility: 20 state-of-the-art electric buses, set to hit Abia’s streets within two months. These zero-emission vehicles, modeled after global standards, promise to redefine public transport in the state. “You’ll see the kind of buses you admire abroad, right here in Abia—except ours won’t guzzle petrol or diesel,” Otti declared at a raucous “Promise Kept Carnival” in Aba, where thousands gathered to celebrate the road’s completion. The buses will operate from newly built terminals, part of a broader vision to phase out fossil fuels and position Abia as a pioneer in Nigeria’s green transition.
The Governor didn’t shy away from addressing critics who questioned the N36.5 billion price tag of the Port Harcourt Road project. With razor-sharp clarity, he dismantled their arguments: while the previous administration spent N9.8 billion (equivalent to $29 million in 2017) without delivering an inch of road, Otti’s team achieved the impossible at a lower real cost—$22.8 million in 2025 terms—proving that transparency and efficiency can triumph over waste. “We reply to shameless opposition with performance,” he asserted, drawing cheers from the crowd.
But the day wasn’t just about concrete and policy. In a heartfelt gesture, Otti rewarded a tricycle driver with N1.4 million for returning N2.4 million forgotten by a passenger—a move that crystallized his message of integrity and community pride. The carnival itself, pulsating with music from local artists and attended by lawmakers, business leaders, and jubilant residents, became a referendum on Otti’s leadership. Senator Darlington Nwokocha and House Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa hailed the Governor’s “legendary” strides, while Aba’s landlords and entrepreneurs declared the road’s revival a “new season” for the city.
For Otti, the transformation is both practical and symbolic. The Port Harcourt Road isn’t just a route for vehicles—it’s a highway of hope, proving that even the most entrenched failures can be reversed. Paired with the electric bus initiative, it paints a portrait of a state charging toward a future where infrastructure works, innovation thrives, and public trust isn’t just earned—it’s celebrated. As one attendee put it, “Aba isn’t just moving again—it’s leading the way.
Dr Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke writes from the University of Abuja Nigeria
