22nd February 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, News, Governance And Development, Business And Economy
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

A few days ago, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, addressed a press conference in Umuahia where he unveiled the plans of the Abia State Government under the leadership of Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, to transform and modernize Umuahia, and accord it a status befitting its position as a capital city.

Going by the disclosures made by the Commissioner, it is quite clear that Governor Otti is very intentional in his determination to redesign the infrastructural landscape of Umuahia in particular and Abia in general.

The Governor had focused special attention on Aba since he assumed office in May 2023. This is for obvious reason. Aba is the economic livewire of Abia State, and indeed, the entire Eastern region.

Given the enormous economic potentials of Aba, if it is fixed, the city would generate more than sufficient revenue that would help the government in fixing the rest of the State.

Governor Otti deserves applause for the great job he has done in Aba ever since. Today, the lost glory of the vibrant Enyimba city has returned.

The current emphasis on Umuahia by the Otti administration is a welcomed development. As a State capital, Umuahia is supposed to wear a look that befits its status in this regard. The previous administrations in the State abandoned the city and left it in a decadent state without any deliberate step taken to address issues of broken infrastructure in the ancient city.

A town that was once a major administrative and educational centre and which hosted a collection of some vital national institutions like the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, National Crops Research Institute, National Cereals Research Institute, Government College, and other strategic facilities, was criminally neglected.

Umuahia was also a major railway hub which, until recently, served as a regional cattle market. It was unfortunate that the town was left to degenerate to the point that it became a glorified village.

Announcing the plans of the Otti administration to transform Umuahia into a smart city, Kanu disclosed that the government has initiated several urban renewal and beautification projects which include the relocation of illegal traders from the notorious Isigate to a newly acquired site at Okwulaga-Afara, Umuahia; construction of bus shelters across the town; and expansion of Library Avenue (the main approach road leading to the Government House) into a two-lane road, including drainage enhancements.

The recovered Isigate and its adjoining grounds are being proposed for a modern transport terminal to be integrated to the existing railway station in the town.

Such a modern infrastructure, undoubtedly, would give a major face-lift to the transport ecosystem in Umuahia.

The Honourable Commissioner further revealed that the government has acquired 2,000 hectares of land for the construction of the New Umuahia city project to be located along the Abia Tower-Umuahia-Aba expressway.

The government, according to him, is also renovating the Abia Tower bus terminal to improve traffic flow and provide better facilities for the people.

These are great initiatives which would go a long way in transforming the economic fortunes of Umuahia and repositioning it as a centre of excellence.

Umuahia remains a historic city in Igboland.

Apart from serving as the capital city of Biafra during the Civil War, it hosts the National War Museum and the famous Ojukwu Bunker, two major tourist attractions in the State.

With the ongoing infrastructural upgrade of the city by the Otti administration, Umuahia is gradually being transformed into a destination of choice for tourists and foreign investors.

The Otti administration deserves accolades for the renewed emphasis which Umuahia is receiving. It is hoped that by the time, the Governor is done with his urban renewal plans for Umuahia, the town will never be the same again in terms of its aesthetic appeal.

Nevertheless, Governor Otti must hasten to either complete the abandoned Government House Complex in Umuahia or build a brand new one so as to ensure a seamless operation of all structures of governance in the State.

A New Abia is indeed possible!

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

~ NewsOrient

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