Politics
Gov. Otti’s notable 20 months in Abia: Demonstration of courage, vision, focus
Gov Alex Otti’s 20 months administration in Abia State is, so far, stuffed with remarkable feats, groundbreaking achievements as well as a hallmark of giant strides that are tremendously transforming the God’s Own State from a hitherto grossly underdeveloped territory to a rapidly industrialized and developed enclave.
During the electioneering that brought Otti to power, the bank guru pledged to use his wide range of contacts, connections, and experiences to bring positive changes to the state, besieged by horrendous poverty, horrible insecurity, and unimaginable underdevelopment. Therefore, he wasted no time immediately after his inauguration on May 29, 2023, to map out administrative strategies on how to rescue the state from sinking further into the abyss.
No other person graphically and comprehensively captured Otti’s Midias Touch in the last 20 months than the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa. He said, “Governor Alex Otti’s administration is on a mission to transform Abia State, staying focused despite distractions.
“After 24 years of destruction, abandonment, corruption, and looting by the Abia PDP, Otti has made significant strides in correcting past wrongs. In less than two years, he has paid off billions of naira in accumulated salaries and pensions, ensuring regular payments and restoring dignity to the state’s workforce”.
Uzoukwa noted that Otti’s vision encompassed total reconstruction, transformation, and recovery across all sectors through sound policies and programs. He argued that Otti’s administration has launched initiatives to revitalize the economy, improve infrastructure, and enhance Abians’ quality of life. He recalled that from new road constructions to renovations, Otti’s government had, so far, and still counting, demonstrated its commitment to connecting communities and fostering economic growth.
Uzoukwa gave a little but leading insights into some of the landmark achievements of Otti thus far. According to him, “Notable achievements in road infrastructure development include several completed and ongoing projects in Aba, Umuahia, and other parts of the state. These projects, costing several billions, have positively impacted the state’s economy and citizens’ lives. Examples include the ongoing reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road by Julius Berger, Osisioma-Ekeakpara Road, Cemetery Road, and Omuma Road reconstructions”.
It is also established that Otti has made significant strides in the health, education, agriculture, and waste management sectors. His administration, as captured by Uzoukwa, is renovating and equipping 200 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) statewide, laying the groundwork for initiatives like the Abia Medical City Project, which promises to revolutionize regional healthcare delivery. The government has allocated 35% of its 2025 budget to health and education, reaffirming its commitment to the people’s well-being and development.
Clearly understanding that the youths are future in the making even as they are also the engine room of any administration, Otti’s administration prioritizes empowering both Abia youth and women, recognizing their crucial role in driving economic growth and development. As the Public Enlightenment aide explained, “Various initiatives and programs provide training, funding, and mentorship opportunities, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. These efforts unlock the potential of Abia’s youth and women, enabling meaningful contributions to the state’s development”.
In the area of environmental sustainability and preserving Abia’s natural resources for future generations, Otti, through the rejuvenated Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), initiatives promotes as well as encourages waste management, conservation, and sustainable practices, ensuring Abia remains beautiful and healthy. “The era of indiscriminate refuse dumping in Aba and Umuahia is now history”, he pointed out.
Not too long ago, Abia was ranked one of the worst states in security matters. Kidnapping, armed robberies, killings, and other forms of criminal acts made the state hell to the people and their lamentations for help. Otti quickly moved in and restored security, order, and tranquility. He presented 20 brand new Toyota Hilux trucks equipped with modern gadgets to security agencies in the state to strengthen the efforts of their personnel for enhanced security operations.
Presenting the vehicles at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Otti recalled that his government took security as one of its priorities when he came on board as governor.
“When we assumed the leadership of this state, we made it very clear that security was topmost on our agenda”, he enthused. He added,
“We understood clearly that every other thing that we wanted to do would amount to nothing if security was compromised.
“It is in redemption of that promise that we have gathered today to hand over 20 brand new Toyota Hilux trucks, purchased by the State government to our security agencies.
“This is a way of appreciating the job you do, it is also a way of arming you so that you would be more effective and efficient”, Otti stated.
Since then, Otti has been quite helpful in the area of security as he has always assisted the security agencies in carrying out their lawful duties. This he has achieved by the establishment of Operation Crush, the joint security force he created. Operation Crush has really reduced crime in the state, particularly in Aba, Isuikwuato, and Umunneochi LGAs.
Towns and villages previously besieged and made inaccessible due to the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers have been liberated, residents who took to their heels in the wake of these criminal acts have returned to base and life has been made more meaningful.
Abia is reputed for her industrial and economic revolutions. Aba is the commercial and industrial hub while Umuahia is the administrative and technical powerhouse. It therefore goes to say that the state was in need of a functional power supply. However, before the emergence of Otti, the entire state suffered from an acute lack of power supply, making it difficult for production and fabrication to take place.
Otti, a visionary governor, has worked assiduously to commission an integrated energy project designed to provide electricity to nine Local Government Areas of the state. This dream is to be made realizable through the Geometric Integrated Power Project, a unique electricity project that is fully vertically integrated with embedded generation and distribution capabilities for this purpose.
The idea here is for the integrated power project to supply power directly to its immediate consumers. This magnificent project is equipped with three GE LM6000 gas turbines, with a capacity to produce up to 47MW each. According to an account, the power plant is also equipped with a 27km gas pipeline to ensure consistent fuel supply, three rehabilitated distribution substations, five new additional substations, and 140km of 33kV/11kV lines using fibre optic cables for seamless data communication.
Elated Otti said of this heartwarming development: “The Geometric Integrated Power Project is the culmination of 20 years of visionary leadership, diligent work, and steadfast commitment by Prof Barth Nnaji and his team at Geometric Power Aba Limited.”
“The Geometric Integrated Power Project is a catalyst for the economic and social transformation of Aba, the Enyimba City, and Abia State, God’s Own State. It will enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of our industries, create employment and empowerment for our youths, and improve the living standards of our people”.
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima commissioned the project.
Funding for the integrated energy project
The project’s funders Afreximbank said that in 2021 it signed a $50 million term loan facility with Geometric Power Limited for the project.
Otti’s signature projects in Abia have been receiving accolades from both his aides and Abia leaders and elders. A special assistant on special duties, Dr. (Mrs) Betty Emeka Obasi, said,
“I, alongside other government appointees, accompanied Governor Otti, to the official flag-off ceremony of Project Ekwueme—an ambitious initiative to rebuild and retrofit 200 Primary Health Care Centers within 100 days.
“This milestone highlights the governor’s unwavering dedication to improving healthcare infrastructure as a health-conscious and visionary leader. Beyond the primary healthcare focus, this initiative also strategically incorporates eye care services, ensuring that eye centers are integrated within some of these facilities at the community level.
“With Project Ekwueme, we are witnessing a transformative step towards strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of better health outcomes”.
Again, Otti’s leadership has earned recognition. Prominent Abians, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Nkechi Nworgu, Rt. Honorable Benjamin Kanu, Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, and Sir Mark Wabara, have, at one time or the other, commended him for exceptional performance. These prominent Abia leaders and elders agree that Otti is on track even as he has been doing marvelously. It has been 20 months of quality performance garnished with beautiful stories of delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
