Alex Otti flags off 30km Abam-Arochukwu road abandoned for decades

Gov Alex Otti of Abia State, Wednesday, flagged off the reconstruction of the long-abandoned 30-kilometre Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke- Ozuabam Road.

The road is the shortest route to Arochukwu from the capital city of Umuahia via the agrarian Abam communities.

“Coming just weeks after work began on the 67-kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road, the clear message is that no part of the State shall be left behind in our push to expand the frontiers of economic and social opportunities for individuals, families and businesses”, related Otti declared at the event amidst accolades from a mammoth crowd of enthusiastic folks.

The Governor regretted the gross neglect of economically viable roads in the state by previous administrations, had made the state lose some investors.

He said:”The cost of this neglect on the economy of the State in terms of lost opportunities cannot be quantified. Farmers in rural communities found it difficult to move their produce to the markets leading to heavy post-harvest losses.

“Most painfully, businessmen and women from different parts of Nigeria and the West African sub-region who had relied on markets in Aba for supplies quickly took their patronage to other places. With business returns plummeting, several commercial entities that previously employed thousands of our people quietly closed shops or relocated.”

He said that his administration deliberately resolved to prioritize road rehabilitation as a way to revive the economy of the state.

“As a government that made a covenant to bring succour to the people after many years of frustrations, we knew that road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance must be made major priorities long before we took our oath of office.

“Starting with some of the most strategic roads in Aba and Umuahia, we are now expanding the scope to cover roads that connect our agricultural zones to the urban areas in order to boost the State’s agricultural output and expand our economic corridors to create jobs for thousands of our young people while taming rural-urban migration. “

He said the project was expected to be delivered in one year, adding that he carefully chose reputable construction firms to handle road projects in the state.

“The Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam Road will on completion in about 12 months, revive the agricultural and allied business ecosystem within several communities in Arochukwu and Ohafia LGAs and open an expanded economic window for those seeking to tap into the promises of the New Abia by investing here.

“Fixing this road simultaneously with the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia Road is a strategic initiative to guarantee that the stretch of road from this axis to Umuahia and Aba is in optimal shape, making the movement of people, agro and allied commodities from the northern part of the State to the urban centres is hassle-free. “

Otti further said that the reconstruction of the roads would also “improve the social dynamics in the communities, making travel less risky and adding an extra layer of incentives for our kith and kin living in places far and near to visit home more frequently for social functions and engagements. “

The Governor, therefore, urged residents to dutifully pay their taxes to enable his Government carry out its responsibilities.

“Citizens and businesses are encouraged to pay their taxes with religious commitments. Thankfully, we have created multiple digital and traditional channels to make the payment of taxes and other statutory fees seamless.

“Our infrastructural and social development programmes will be stalled if we fall short on the financial obligations required to keep the bulldozers and other earth moving equipment at our different project sites in motion.”

He also said that”in addition to paying our taxes as and when due, we have an obligation to protect public facilities in our communities and neighbourhoods.”

The Governor warned that acts of vandalism and criminal destruction of public infrastructure would never be tolerated, vowing to deploy the full weight of the law to deal with anyone that “attempts to sabotage our modest efforts at making all parts of Abia safe destinations for honest and legitimate endeavours.”