Otti hails Aba residents for feeding contractors rehabilitating roads
…Assures that rains can’t derail his vow to rebuild Enyimba city
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed gratitude to residents of Cemetry Road in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, for establishing good rapport with workers of the contractor handling the reconstruction of their road, to the extent of cooking and giving them food.
The Governor who expressed his appreciation to the people for their hospitality towards the workers of the contracting during an inspection tour of some roads being revamped by his administration on Friday, August 4, 2023, reassured the residents that not even the rains would hinder his avowed determination to rebuild Aba.
The Governor was joined by the Hungarian Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Gabor Kruss, and Economic Counselor of the Hungarian Embassy in Nigeria, Judith Beres, during the inspection tour of the ongoing road projects in Aba.
He said his government was determined to deliver on his promises during the campaigns.
Speaking to a jubilant crowd at Cemetery Road, one of the several roads being reconstructed in Aba, the Governor declared that the rains would not be an obstacle to giving residents of Aba the good life they have longed for in the past 24 years.
“Whether it is raining or the sun is shining, we will rebuild Aba,” Dr. Otti assured the cheering crowd who left their shops and homes to mill around him and his entourage.
He continued: “I have come to see for myself the condition of this Cemetery Road and we’re very happy with the progress of work in spite of the rain. The major challenge we have is that the drainage is blocked and the contractor, even though it’s not part of his contract, has started desilting the drainage. If you look towards the left, you will see a lot of rubbish that they have excavated from the drainage.
“We have now divided the job into two phases. The first phase is from Number One, all the way to the rail line; and across the rail is the second phase. So, all the rubbish we have here will be gone by tomorrow and once we have two days of dry weather, they will asphalt and this place will be ready for use.
“There is one more thing we will do, and we have also contracted for it; this place will have solar powered street lights. Whether it is morning, night or darkness, this place will be lit up.”
The Abia Chief Executive said he was happy when the contractor informed him of the people’s kindness towards them and therefor thanked the people for cooperating with the contractor and for their show of love and hospitality to the workers, urging for patience while the job lasted.
“Let me thank you once again for your patience. I know that you have been patient all this while and we have just a few more weeks before we deliver this road. We will also deliver other roads in Aba.
“Thank you for the support that you’re giving to the workers. The contractor told me that you cook and bring food to the workers. I must thank you for that, God will continue to bless you,” Dr. Otti prayed.
The Governor and his team had started the inspection tour from University Road, moving on to Green Avenue, Shallom Road, then to Cemetery Road and finally ending up at Emelogu Road.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kazie Uko, explained that no fewer than nine roads in Aba were currently under partial and comprehensive rehabilitation. “All the roads are being handled by reputable construction companies, including CCECC, Craneburg and MCC,” Uko stated.
