Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the full transformation of Aba, announcing plans to commence the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road, two major routes connecting the commercial city to neighbouring states.
According to The Punch, Otti made the disclosure on Sunday during a special thanksgiving Mass held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Aba, organised by the Catholic Diocese of Aba in his honour.
Expressing gratitude to the Church for recognising his administration, the governor assured residents that his government would continue to prioritise the welfare and development of Abians as he enters the final year of his first tenure.
He said, “Even if you pay the Catholic Church a billion dollars, they will not do the wrong thing. This is your government, and we will never disappoint you.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet. We have just dealt with hygiene issues, cleaning up the environment, roads, water and so on. We are now focusing more on healthcare, education, technology, industrialisation and other sectors.
“We will soon embark on the complete recovery of Aba by flagging off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road. Any project we can’t find the money for, we don’t start. We have found the money. It is in the bank, and the flag-off will happen soon,” Otti stated.
The governor further pledged support for the Catholic Men Organisation’s secretariat project, as well as projects being executed by the Catholic Women Organisation and the Catholic Youth Organisation.
In his homily, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Aba, Most Rev. Prof. Augustine Ndubueze Echema, stressed that leadership should be rooted in compassion and service to the people.
Referencing Matthew 9:36, the cleric noted that Jesus Christ showed compassion to the people because their leaders had neglected them.
Echema likened Otti’s leadership style to that of a compassionate leader and maintained that the governor’s achievements would speak for him ahead of the next election cycle.
“We have a man of integrity, and nobody needs to campaign for Governor Otti. His works will campaign for him.
“You are worth supporting. This is the first time the Catholic Diocese of Aba is honouring a governor,” Echema said.
The bishop commended the governor for improving the lives of residents and demonstrating purposeful governance.
He also encouraged members of the Church to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of future elections.
Leaders of the Catholic Men Organisation, Catholic Women Organisation and Catholic Youth Organisation, in separate remarks, praised Otti for what they described as inclusive and people-oriented governance.
They described the governor as a “silent achiever” whose projects have brought relief to residents, especially in Aba, where poor road infrastructure had long posed challenges before his administration.
The groups later presented gifts to the governor in appreciation of his contributions to the state.
Among dignitaries present at the event were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Chief Reagan Ufomba and his wife; members of the Abia State House of Assembly; mayors; the Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Creative Economy, Hon. Matthew Ekwuribe; alongside other government officials.
