“We Have Decided To Save Federal Government Further Embarrassment With Our Decision To Reconstruct Road” – Gov Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has urged the Federal Government to speedily reimburse the State when construction works are completed on the 41 km Ohafia- Arochukwu road .

This is even as he underscored the importance of the reconstruction of the long neglected and abandoned Federal road network to the economic growth and development of not just Abia State, but also the entire country.

Governor Otti, who spoke at the flag off of the reconstruction efforts in  Ebem Ohafia Local Council on Wednesday, August 28, noted that the idea being muted by the Federal Government to toll the road, will be unfair to the about 60 communities which have endured untold difficulties and deprivation owing to the  impassable state of the all important road for many years.

“I will again plead with the Federal Government to consider making the necessary financial provisions to eventually reimburse the state since we have taken the bull by the horn by doing what a responsible Government should do for the citizens.

“This appeal is very important considering that this very project will unleash new layers of opportunities that will have significant economic impacts, especially, for Federal revenue.” he stated.

Governor Otti noted that the decision to intervene in the reconstruction of the road, though a Federal road, was informed by the  need for the people to take their destinies in their own hands .

After obtaining all the necessary approvals needed for the state to  embark on the reconstruction, Governor Otti expressed the optimism that the Federal authorities will do the needful in the long term interest of the people of Abia State.

“We have sincerely taken this bold initiative in order to save the Federal Government the embarrassment this road has brought it before international visitors and tourists .

“Our intention is to give Nigerians who are residents in this part of the country or traveling through this road for business and social engagements, a sense of belonging because no nation should watch its citizens pass through nightmares our people have endured for years .” Otti stated.

Emphasising the significance of the road to the people, Governor Otti, said that apart from serving over 60 communities and clans, it also created windows of economic opportunities for neighbouring States of Akwa-Ibom and Cross River.

Residents of the two states, he noted, regularly make use of the road for trading activities with their Abia counterparts,.

The road also plays important roles in facilitating agricultural and ancillary services and learning in various academic institutions in the state , particularly, the state owned College of Education Technical in Arochukwu.

“On account of the fact that the road provided smooth passage to communities outside our boundaries, our kith and kin were also able to pursue their dreams to wherever the environment was promising.

“There were practically no limits to our ambition ,and drive for success ,thanks to the vision of the Sir Michael Okpara-led Eastern Regional Government .

“It is for this purpose that we are taking this road to our border with Akwa-Ibom state . Luckily ,Akwa-Ibom had, several years ago, constructed its own portion of the road” he stated.

Governor Otti regretted that the road conceived with great vision and constructed by M I Okpara in the 1960s was neglected and at a point abandoned.

He noted that a bold attempt to bring life to the road during the military era through the instrumentality of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund ,PTF ,was frustrated by the death of former Head of state General Sani Abacha..

The Governor expressed the hope that the project with a timeline of 18 months will be completed on schedule.

” I have been given a firm assurance that the project will be completed on schedule which makes today’s flag off imperative” he noted

However, the contract sum and contracting firm were not stated