11th December 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, Governance And Development, Business And Economy, Law And Society, News
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

Under Governor Alex Otti, Abia State is making commendable progress in all fields of human endeavour.

So far, every developmental step taken by the government has been deliberately designed to deliver value. Nothing is being left to chances to happen. All policies are properly thought through with the ultimate interest of Abia people dictating the pace. It is, therefore, hardly surprising that Abia, in the last two and half years, has become a reference point for good governance and transformative leadership.

Otti has taken a major step forward to consolidate on the gains that have been made and putting in place a solid foundation to ensure a resilient future and inclusive development for the present generation and posterity. By Tuesday next week, the government would be rolling out a 25-Year Development Plan, considered as the most significant legacy of the Otti administration in the economic life of the state. The plan is to serve as a veritable roadmap that would guide an orderly development and transformation of Abia.
It should be noted that economic development planning as being undertaken by Governor Otti, is a government-led process of setting strategies and allocating resources to achieve long-term economic growth, improved quality of life, and specific goals like job creation, poverty reduction, and stability.

The Commissioner of Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who spoke to newsmen in Umuahia after the weekly State Executive Council meeting explained that the Development Plan would chart a deliberate and transformative roadmap for the state.

He stated as follows:
“The formal presentation of the 25-Year Development Plan, unarguably, will stand out as one of the most significant legacy projects of Otti`s administration.
“The plan will chart a deliberate and transformative roadmap for Abia State, anchoring our collective vision for economic resilience, infrastructural expansion, social advancement and generational security into the middle of the century”.

The Development Plan is structured to rest on six crucial planks, namely, people and resources, growth and stability, sustainable economy, social infrastructure and inclusion, governance and reform, and cross-sector linkages. According to the Commissioner, the plan, upon implementation, would help to build a dynamic and inclusive economy by unlocking local potentials and attracting global investments across key sectors in the state.
The plan is also formed in a way that it is climate change compliant. In other words, it is fashioned out in a manner that infrastructural projects that are to be executed will be eco-friendly and climate-resilient. The plan is to place emphasis on clean energy, digital connectivity and sustainable urban planning.

During the implementation stages, the plan is expected to be governed by strong institutions that promote transparency, citizen participation, ensuring peace, security and inclusive development.
The 25-Year Development Plan, observers contend, speaks to the character of Governor Alex Otti who comes across as an organized, methodical, thorough and data-driven leader. Otti clearly understands that no success can ever be achieved without planning.

In putting together the 25-year development plan, Otti is deliberately planning for a successful future that is anchored on social inclusiveness and economic resilience.
The plan is expected to incorporate all the key projects that would drive the development and transformation of the state into an advanced economy with provisions for identifiable sources of funding. By the time the Development Plan is made public, there will be no need any more to reinvent the wheel. Those who are coming after Otti, would be blessed with the existence of an invaluable blueprint that charts the way for a comprehensive development of Abia State.

The good news about the 25-Year Development Plan is that it is backed by law passed by the Abia State House of Assembly to that effect. What that means is that the Plan is now collectively owned by the good people of Abia State and binding on subsequent administrations. So, no governor can wake up in the future and decide to discard the initiative. The much that can happen is possible reviews of the Plan to accommodate emerging realities.

Governor Otti deserves commendation for the demonstrable foresight and vision that informed the articulation of the plan. He has been able to show that he came prepared for the governorship of the once grossly misruled state. All the good people of Abia State must lend their support to the Development Plan when it is unveiled on Tuesday. Every citizen of Abia should cooperate with the Otti administration to ensure that the Plan is successfully delivered.

May Abia continue to prevail!

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

For News, Inter
views, Special Events Coverage, Advertisements, Corporate Reports, etc., Contact:
Email: Newsorientng@gmail.com

Website: https://newsorientng.com
Phone: +2348023165410; +2348064041541