Otti pledges sustained development in infrastructure, power, health, others

Alex Otti of Abia has reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustain development across key sectors, including roads, health, education, transport, power and security.

Otti made this known on Tuesday night during a monthly media parley with newsmen, at the Government House, Umuahia.

He thanked residents for their cooperation during ongoing infrastructure works across the state.

The governor urged the people of Abia to exercise patience as road construction and asphalt laying continued across communities.

On waste management, he reemphasised his administration’s resolve to maintain zero tolerance for environmental filth in order to promote public health.

Otti also stressed that residents must take responsibility for proper waste disposal to keep the state clean.

“In the area of environmental sanitation, nobody has been allowed to drop the ball and we appreciate the level of work that you are doing.

“It will continue to be so because we have zero tolerance for rubbish, which is why we go around to pick up rubbish and deal with it the best way we can.

“Any time you see anything that should not be on the road, if it is someone that dropped it, call his attention and make sure he picks it up and puts it in his pocket,” he said.

On health, the governor said over 200 primary healthcare centres are being renovated and equipped with emphasis on meeting minimum standards to improve access to quality healthcare services in the state.

He said that in furtherance of government’s resolve to enhance access to quality healthcare services it placed
premium on employing qualified medical professionals to work in the facilities.

He disclosed that Abia recently won national awards for Health Emergency Preparedness, Primary Healthcare Leadership, and strategic partnerships, crediting healthcare workers for the achievements.

In education, the governor noted ongoing renovation, fencing, smart school projects, and improved security in public schools, adding that a new phase would begin in 2026.

“In terms of education, renovation of schools, fencing of schools, the smart school projects and the securing of public schools, which is handled by Homeland Security. These things continue to go on and we believe that the next phase will kick in, in 2026,” Otti said.

He announced the rollout of 20 electric buses under a pilot scheme, offering free transportation.

Otti said that one of the reasons that informed government’s decision to acquire electric buses was the desire to promote environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

He said: “The whole idea is to key in to the environmental sustainability standards and ensure that our carbon footprints are reduced to the bare minimum, while environmental sustainability and net zero emissions are promoted.

“So, we are happy that it started well. I rode in one of the buses myself from Umuahia to Ukwa West.”

Otti also said that 20 additional buses are being expected, while 60 more would arrive later, with a target of deploying 100 electric buses by the end of 2026.

“We have 20 more buses on the way and another 60 will also be on the way. So our target is that by the end of 2026 we will have a hundred electric buses plying everywhere in Abia and probably beyond.

“The Ministry of Transport is working on the management of the buses,” he said.

On power, the governor said that electricity had been restored to 33 communities in Ukwa West after nine years, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year.

He also confirmed the takeover of the state electricity market by the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority, following the signing of the Electricity Act 2023 (as amended).

“I am sure you are aware that we signed the Abia State Electricity Bill into law and we need to know sometime within the year we set up the Abia State Electricity Regulation Authority (ASERA).

“Which has taken off and in the last few days, the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission, handed over its functions to ASERA with the Electricity Act 2023.

“Now with the Electricity Act 2023, states have now been authorised to manage, regulate, distribute, transmit, and even generate electricity,” he said.

The governor said that plans were underway to assume control of power distribution in the remaining eight local governments currently under Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

“Aba has been ceded as an island to Aba Power and Geometric, the remaining eight local governments under the EEDC will soon be taken over by Abia State Government.

“Our offer, like we know, has already been accepted by the EEDC and we are in the process of making payments; that is likely to happen in the first quarter of next year.

“We have everything about electricity under our control and for areas like Bende and Ohafia that have been struggling with power, the Commissioner for Power and his team have moved in.

“I assure you that very soon, we will restore permanent power to those areas,” Otti said.

He added that discussions were ongoing to ensure steady gas supply to Geometric Power, noting that excess electricity from Aba would be distributed across the state.

On industrial revival, the governor said that negotiations were ongoing to reactivate moribund industries to boost employment and economic growth.

The governor said that the state government had taken over Star Paper Mill Ltd., and had commenced finalising the takeover of Afro Beverages, expected to be completed in January.

He said that plans were underway to recover more moribund industries in the state and create employment for residents.

He said: “Discussions are also going on with the people who invested in Modern Ceramics, International Glass Industry and Metallurgical Plant.

“If our discussions go well, we expect that this company will come back to life and begin to support the economy of Abia State.

“The support will not just be in terms of Gross Domestic Product growth, but also in terms of employment generation.

“That is where we are focused on.
“Even if we don’t make money, we want our people to have jobs and we want our economy to grow.

On Security, he assured residents that under his watch as governor, security remained a top priority.

Otti commended security agencies for maintaining relative peace and ensuring public safety across the state.

“In terms of security, we want to thank God first and foremost and thank our security agencies for working around the clock and for not sleeping so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“I am sure you will attest to the fact that this period and even before this period have been relatively calm.

“We try to nip all sorts of disturbance in the bud, so that our people can do their business and do their work,” Otti said.