11th August 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, News, Governance And Development
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

Last week in Umuahia, the Honourable Commissioner of Information, Prince Okey Kanu, as part of his routine after every meeting of the State Executive Council (SEC), gave a press briefing on the on-going activities of government. He spoke on a number of issues which mainly revolve around the giant strides the Dr. Alex Otti administration is making to deepen the social and economic transformation of the State. Most gladdening was the disclosure on the steps Governor Otti has taken to put in place state-of-the-art transport infrastructure in major cities of Abia.

According to the Commissioner, the government has undertaken a major reform within the transport sector which would see Umuahia and Aba boasting of world class bus terminals and other modern facilities, making commuting in the State seamless and stress-free. Projects that have been slated for implementation under the transport sector reform agenda include improvement of road junctions, erection of modern bus shelters along designated routes and installation of traffic lightings in strategic road junctions.

Other plans that have been concluded to beef up the transport sector include the injection of several buses that run on electricity into the key cities in the State. Additionally, the government is to increase the charging stations already earmarked for the electric buses.

Prince Kanu noted as follows:
“In a bold move to accelerate our commitment to modernizing public transportation, the number of electric buses to be procured for the states mass transit programme has been increased from 20 to 40. Similarly, the number of charging stations has also been doubled from 10 to 20. “The first batch of 20 electric buses is expected to arrive in November, with 12 allocated to Aba and 8 to Umuahia. Additional units will serve other key areas, including the Ohafia-Bende axis. This development aligns with ongoing transport sector reforms under Governor Alex Ottis administration, which also include the construction of world-class bus terminals in Aba and Umuahia, junction improvement projects, and the installation of modern bus shelters along designated routes”.

Abia is supremely blessed to have Dr. Otti on the political saddle at this moment of history, after many years of decadent leadership and failed governance in the State. What the people have witnessed in the last two years is visionary and disruptive leadership that is anchored on an unparalleled commitment to the transformation of Abia into a modern State where everything works.

It has become evident that Otti came with a missionary zeal to reposition Abia so that it can take its rightful place in the scheme of things in the country. He came prepared, going by his well thought-out development agenda which he has been pursuing with methodical precision. The infrastructural landscape of the State is changing dramatically with economically critical projects being executed across the State.

The commercial city of Aba which, prior to his emergence as Governor, was a failed city overflowing with mountains of garbage and decrepit infrastructure has been brought back to life. Otti has done what was thought impossible. All the heaps of refuse everywhere have been cleared, with an efficient structure put in place under a revamped Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASEPA) to ensure speedy evacuation of refuse and maintenance of environmental cleanliness on a continuous and regular basis. All the major roads and arteries in the Enyimba city have received, and continue to receive requisite government attention.

The icing on the cake is the popular Port Harcourt Road in Aba which was abandoned for over three decades by previous administrations. People living in that axis of the city lost their businesses and properties to flood and environmental degradation occasioned by criminal neglect by the past authorities. It took the stubborn will of Governor Otti to fix the road using construction giant, Julius Berger, to perform the magic. Today, that road stands as an iconic testament to Otti`s extraordinary commitment to leadership excellence.

The same excellence the Governor has demonstrated in Aba is similarly being demonstrated in Umuahia, the State capital. Under his keen watch, Umuahia is being opened up with wider and beautiful roads and other basic infrastructure. The city is gradually evolving into a befitting capital, worthy of its status as a seat of power.

It is heartwarming to note that the modern bus terminal which would serve as an integrated transportation hub is coming up strongly in the heart of Umuahia. On completion, the terminal is envisaged to be integrated with the railway station in the town, thus making it a busy intermodal transportation centre from which travelers in the State can connect by road or rail to other parts of the country.

The Governor`s vision is quite commendable. May God continue to strengthen him to do more for the State

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May Abia continue to prevail!

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

~ Published By NewsOrient Network

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