Even though the Abia PDP bunch of criminals and mischief makers are crying wolf because Former Senate President of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria honestly commended the performances of Governor Alex Otti, Abians from various political backgrounds have united in praise for their ebullient State Chief Executive Officer’s bold decision to award the contract for the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba to Julius Berger. Governor Otti officially launched the reconstruction of this long-neglected 6.8-kilometer road last Thursday after awarding a contract worth N30 billion to Julius Berger.
Speaking exclusively to Vanguard, Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), described this achievement as “historic.” He emphasized Governor Otti’s reliability and integrity and asserted that his second term in office is all but assured, thanks to his outstanding performance.
Regarding the criticism of the project’s N30 billion contract cost by some opposition members, Senator Wabara defended the decision, pointing out that the current economic realities and exchange rate make the cost reasonable. He commended Otti for his transparency in disclosing the contract sum, which is a departure from past practices of concealing such information.
Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also lauded Governor Otti for awarding the road project, calling it a signature project. He expressed his unwavering support for Otti, emphasizing that he is doing what he himself would have done if elected as governor.
Ogah also defended the project’s cost, challenging critics to compare it to the economic conditions and exchange rates. He commended Governor Otti for his transparency and urged critics to provide constructive criticism instead of being overly critical.
Senator Emma Nwaka, a former State Chairman of the PDP and a governorship aspirant, praised Otti for his decision to fix the economically important Port Harcourt Road in Aba. He commended the choice of Julius Berger for the project and advocated for the engagement of Julius Berger for other key road projects in the state.
The Coalition of South East Youths Leaders also commended Otti for taking action to rehabilitate Port Harcourt Road Aba, which had been neglected for years. They pledged their full support for Otti and any governor prioritizing people-oriented projects, calling Otti an “enigma” who has achieved in four months what the PDP couldn’t in eight years.
The Port Harcourt Road Aba, originally constructed during the administration of the late Sam Mbakwe in the late 1970s and early 1980s, had deteriorated over the years due to a lack of maintenance by successive administrations.
During the flag-off ceremony, Governor Otti expressed his unwavering commitment to restoring the road to its former glory, with an emphasis on its economic importance. He assured the public that the project’s cost was justified, given the quality and durability it would provide.
The project aims to drive the economic rejuvenation of Aba and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, generating jobs and reducing poverty. Otti pledged to complete the payment to Julius Berger on schedule to ensure that the project proceeds without delays.
In conclusion, Otti’s administration is determined to reset the fundamentals of the city by improving its roads, waste management, and social infrastructure, and creating a better environment for businesses and investment to flourish. The reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road is just one step toward this transformation, with more significant changes expected in the coming months.
Dr. Charles Chinekezi is a Professional Journalist and Chartered Management Professor (C.M.P.)