Abia Ready for President Tinubu’s Visit as Gov. Otti Showcases Key Achievements

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that the state is fully prepared to host President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, October 3, during his official visit to the state.

Speaking at a media parley in Umuahia, the governor announced that the President would inaugurate the newly completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba, along with several other road projects executed by his administration. He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the road, noting that his government insists on durable infrastructure as part of efforts to close the state’s long-standing infrastructural deficit.

Otti also revealed that his administration had commenced the renovation and expansion of the Aba Correctional Centre to improve conditions for inmates. On federal roads, he disclosed that reconstruction of the dilapidated Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road would soon begin, stressing that the state could no longer fold its arms over the project, which had been abandoned for decades despite repeated federal contracts.

The governor highlighted progress made in other sectors:

• Health: Over 140 out of 200 primary health centres renovated and equipped. Recruitment of 771 health workers is ongoing, with applications received from within and outside Nigeria, including South Africa and Zambia.
• Education: Free education policy extended from primary school to JSS3. 5,000 new teachers recruited and deployed, with another 4,000 on the way. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic secured full accreditation for all 33 programmes, while massive work is ongoing at the College of Education Technical, Arochukwu.
• Agriculture and Local Economy: LGAs collaborating on agricultural projects to boost food security. Establishment of four evening markets in each LGA, fitted with solar lights and basic conveniences, to stimulate local economies.
• Aviation: Nsulu Airport runway construction underway as part of the state’s contribution to the joint project with the federal government. Otti assured that land compensation challenges raised by some donors would be resolved fairly.

Otti explained that the recent decision to split the Ministry of Lands and Housing into two was necessary to enhance efficiency, as the workload had become overwhelming.

He maintained that his administration would continue to serve the people, not political interests, despite criticisms from opposition voices. According to him, the wide-ranging reforms and achievements across health, education, infrastructure, and economic development have already earned confidence from the public and the international community.