Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has officially flagged-off the reconstruction of the 11.1 kilometres Obehie – Umudobia – Owaza road in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state with an assurance that the road will be completed within one year.
Flagging-off the road project at St. Ann’s Secondary School, Obehie Asa, Governor Otti disclosed that the road upon completion, will boost marketability and viability of the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park (AIIP).
The State Chief Executive while pointing out that significant changes would occur in the area after the completion of the road, announced that the Federal Government has approved the establishment of a modular refinery to be cited inside the AIIP.
“This project is therefore not just about creating access to the towns and villages along these corridor, it is more about reviving dormant economic assets, opening new horizons and reigniting the dreams that once starred the souls of our fathers.
“I’ll like to inform you that just a few days ago, we got the good news that the Federal Government has approved a modular refinery which would be cited inside the AIIP. That modular refinery will be built by H.I.S. Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited.
“My assurance is that every support we can give as a Government shall be availed you as we work together to create a robust industrial cluster that will accelerate the rapid socio-economic development of the area and fast track the restoration of the years that has been lost to poor leadership,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor while declaring that the era of neglecting Ukwa people is over, disclosed that Ukwa will no longer be a forgotten place.
“Ukwa shall no longer be a forgotten place. Your land will yield forth it’s best fruits and your barns shall never be empty again. You will enjoy the riches of the environment and the oil in your land shall bring you boundless prosperity.
“You will not only get what is due you at the resource allocation table, the various levers of our administration shall collaborate extensively with agencies like the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other interventionist establishments to restore the years that has been lost to the politics of exclusion and deceit. Gov. Otti stated.
Responding to requests made by leaders of the area, Governor Otti assured that the Umuzike – Obokwe – Ngwaiyiekwe road would soon be flagged-off for reconstruction having been approved in the 2025 budget.
He promised to restore electricity in Asa land before the end of this month and directed the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday to visit the area and find out what it will take to restore electricity in the area.
On the appeal for portable water, the Governor noted that he has already declared a state of emergency in the water sub-sector, assuring that the water problem confronting many communities in the State will soon be a thing of the past.
He thanked the stakeholders from various political parties for joining him and his vision for the State, and urged the people to support and cooperate with the contractors.
In their speeches, the Member representing Ukwa-West State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Godwin Adiele, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna and the Mayor of Ukwa-West LGA, Pastor Dike Nwankwo expressed the happiness and gratitude of Asa people to the Governor.
Also speaking, the Abia State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti, while noting that Governor Alex Otti has continued to connect communities through road infrastructure, described the road as a gate way into Asa and the Abia Industrial Innovation Park.
He noted that the project with 12-months delivery time line will equally open up the area for greater economic opportunities by creating direct and indirect jobs as well as increase heavy financial flow into the area.
Contributing, the General Manager, Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Venerable Joshua Onyeike, thanked the Governor for providing the commission a level playing ground to perform its statutory mandate of providing essential services to oil producing areas, adding that the Governor has in many ways demonstrated his love for Ukwa people.
Venerable Onyeike disclosed that there are other projects the Governor would be doing in Ukwa land and assured the Governor of the continuous support of the Ukwa people.
In their goodwill messages, a former legislator in the Old Imo State, Dame Victoria Akanwa and a former Secretary to Abia State Government, Pastor Ralph Egbu applauded Governor Otti for his landmark achievements across the State, and thanked him for coming to rescue the people of Ukwa from bad roads the area have been known for.
They also used the opportunity to appeal for the restoration of electricity and provision of portable water in the area.
In an address, the President General, Asa Development Union, Elder Goodluck Nwauju said that the Governor has through the road project, the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, and the recovery of over ten thousand hectares of land earlier taken over by the previous administration for a non-existent Enyimba Economic City project, demonstrated his love for Ndi – Asa.
Our correspondent reports that the event which attracted many dignitaries saw some major stakeholders of various opposition parties in Ukwa land presenting themselves to work with Governor Alex Otti whom they unanimously declared is performing beyond expectations and should be supported.
