PREVIOUS WEEK REPORT IN ABIA: GOV ALEX OTTI’S ACTIVITIES IN RETROSPECT
Recap of some of the Governor’s activities last week- Sunday, 4th August to Saturday, 10th August 2024.
1.His Excellency Dr. Alex, Otti OFR, inspected a gully erosion site along Ovom Street Aba, which had not only cut the road into two but created a long valley, collapsed many buildings, and destroyed landed properties within the area. During the inspection, Governor Otti directed the General Manager of Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) to see him for immediate mobilisation of experienced engineers and contractors to find a lasting solution to the problem.
2.Governor Alex Otti chaired the weekly State Executive Council meeting. Briefing the Press after the meeting, the Abia Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed that the State Government has constituted a special committee to recover all encumbered public schools in the state, numbering about 180 schools whose land has been taken over by officials and cronies of the immediate past administration. According to him, the Committee is headed by the Chief of staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, with the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche as Secretary and Honourable Commissioners for Justice, Lands and Housing, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, General Manager Umuahia Capital Development Authority, General Manager Greater Aba Development Authority as well as the Chief Security Officer to the Governor as members. Prince Kanu equally disclosed that a full diagnostic assessment of the educational sector of the state has been conducted, adding that about 12,000 teachers in public schools will undergo a capacity-building program during the summer to prepare them for the emergent new look schools that the government would have from September. The State Information boss also informed the Press that work has commenced at the Federal College of Education, Ofeme, Umuahia North LGA, fully supported by the Administration of Governor Otti, adding that the state government has supported the college to secure an office at the Okpara roundabout for a smooth take-off of activities. On the Light Up Abia Initiative of the State Government, Prince Kanu said, "The Light Up Abia initiative has continued and gone a notch higher.”It is appropriate to note that over 2,500 solar-powered light panels had been installed across the state, majorly between Umuahia, Aba, Ohafia, and other isolated institutions like Abia State University, Uturu." He equally revealed that the revamping of the Ariaria and Ubakala water projects would soon commence
. 3. Governor Otti received in audience and appreciated the players and the management of Abia Warriors Football Club with cash rewards and a donation of Coaster Bus for making it to the finals of the 2023/2024 FA cup competition where they finished as runner-up; the first in the history of the club. He congratulated the players, management, and the board for making him and the State proud, saying that for him, the moment they made it to the final, they had won. He said he was greatly delighted by the feat they achieved and expressed the hope that they would come back home with the trophy when next they were in the finals. The Governor assured them of continued Support for improved performance and greater accomplishments.
4. Also within the week in retrospect, Governor Otti flagged off the remodeling of Ekeoha Market in Aba with a firm assurance that no shop owner will lose his shop in the course of the rebuilding project. He disclosed that the remodeling would be done in phases to ensure minimal effect on traders. He added that the government would collaborate with the management of the Ekeoha market to ensure a temporary relocation of the traders.
"What we have started today in Ekeoha is to signpost our readiness to open a new vista in our infrastructure restoration programme. "Let me give you my word that nobody will be short-changed because this is our collective project. “Government has taken very proactive steps to secure temporary accommodation for the traders who do their day-to-day businesses here”, Gov. Otti assured.
5. Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to zero tolerance to mismanagement of public funds. He stated this at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference Headquarters, Ayaba Umueze, Aba while declaring open the 4th Pastors' Kids Association Convention 2024 with the theme, "Advancing the Gospel in a Digital Era." "In our administration, corruption and stealing are forbidden. So, when you see or hear people making noise in the media, it's because they are unable to continue to feed fat on resources that belong to all of us,, and I can assure you that under my watch, Abia resources, not even one kobo of it will be stolen". Gov. Otti stated.
6. Governor Otti held his monthly no-hold-barred media chat with journalists titled “Governor Otti speaks to Abians.” He uses the programme to give an account of his stewardship to Abians by answering questions on programmes and policies of his administration in different sectors of the State – Education, Health, Agriculture, Sports, the civil service, Local Government Administration, Digital Economy, Trade, Commerce and Industry, Lands and Housing, etc.
7. Governor Otti attended the traditional marriage ceremony of the daughter of Anambra State Governor Professor Charles Soludo, Adaora Soludo and Arinze Ibekwe. The event took place at Isuofia Community in Anambra State. Nwahiwe Chinonyerem Cleverson – Information Officer, Government House Press 12/8/2024
