Governor Alex Otti, OFR, remains steadfast in his conviction that bringing Aba back to life is equivalent to adding life to Abia State. “We are deeply attached to Aba, which is why we have been relentless in our efforts to save it from the destruction that has shaped its story for the last twenty years and more” he keeps saying.
Governor Alex Otti’s first priority is to save Aba, the economic and industrial center of Abia State, from the decay that has hampered its development during the previous 20 years. He believes it is vitally important that it regain its former reputation as the “Japan of Africa.”
Governor Otti is allocating large sums of money to a number of areas in order to implement this objective. This entails prioritizing road development, bringing Aba back online, boosting state employees’ purchasing power, upgrading healthcare, waste management, hospitality, and tourism, as well as putting in place an open revenue collecting system.
Within the first three months of his administration, Governor Otti dedicated three high-quality road projects in Aba: Emelogu Road, the first section of Strategic Cemetery Road, and Shalom Road. These projects were a visible demonstration of his government’s accomplishments. Then, on November 5, 2023, three more high-quality roads were put into service: MCC/Old Express Road, Umuimo Road, and Udeagbala Road.
In just five months, Governor Otti has started to rebuild fifteen highways, six of which are already finished and put into service. The vital Port Harcourt highways are among the remaining nine that are being rebuilt. Palliative measures to ease the traffic problems between Aba and Port Harcourt on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway have also been sparked by his assistance.
Governor Otti is committed to resolving the problems with Aba’s electricity supply. He is close to addressing the long-standing issue of inconsistent power supply, with the goal of enabling industries for maximum production, after holding lengthy meetings with important players in the power industry.
The capacity of public servants to meet their demands with timely payments has changed as a result of the growth in purchasing power of the state workforce, which is made possible by the regular salary payment on the 28th of every month. Furthermore, Governor Otti’s promise to pay off years’ worth of pension arrears by year’s end is expected to significantly boost the state’s economy.
The objective of promoting economic growth is in accordance with Governor Otti’s emphasis on environmental hygiene and health as well as his waste management and recycling programs.
Restoring Aba’s reputation as the “Japan of Africa” in the healthcare sector involves working with foreign groups to rehabilitate the General Hospital and restructure the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, which may serve as a major destination for medical tourists.
The government’s intention to transform the long-abandoned Enyimba hotel into a five-star establishment is a testament to its support of the hospitality sector. In addition, deliberate steps have been taken to create an automated and transparent tax collecting system, doing rid of illicit revenue collection, and guaranteeing a favorable business climate.
With a focus on good governance, Governor Otti’s all-encompassing development strategy aims to transform Aba into a vibrant industrial hub that serves as a catalyst for the state’s overall advancement. His unceasing efforts include a fervent quest for a 24-hour business environment in Aba, demonstrating a dedication to accelerating the city’s rehabilitation from deteriorating infrastructure.