Otti plans to demolish Government House, builds new one

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has disclosed his plan to demolish the existing Government House and build a “befitting one” in its place. The work is expected to begin before December this year.

Governor Otti made this known in Arochukwu on Saturday, July 27, 2024, where he inaugurated projects executed by the Mayor of Arochukwu Local Government Area (LGA), Mazi Joe Eze-aru and also graced the coronation ceremony of the new Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom.

 Recall that Governor Otti has been operating from his country home since he became the governor of Abia. He said that the new Government House built by his predecessor, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, was not only uncompleted but unfit for human habitation but he has sparingly been using the old Government House for some state functions.

While commissioning the renovated Arochukwu Council secretariat, Governor Otti said: “Today, l am not operating from the Government House in Umuahia because there is no Government House. Everywhere is dilapidated and decayed. The option would have been to use the money I used to pay pensioners to begin to retrofit the Government House. But, I felt that we could operate from anywhere while doing the most important things first.”

“I am proud to report that before the end of this year, we are going to break down those dilapidated buildings and we’ll put up structures that are befitting for a people who are enlightened like Abia people,” he added.

Dr. Otti commended the Mayor for his achievements within the short period that he has been in office, saying that he has justified his decision to appoint accomplished individuals to lead development efforts across the 17 local governments of the state.

He explained that the Mayor’s quality work resonates with his administration’s vision of going for the best, always.

“If you look at the projects we are doing, the road projects, the school projects, the healthcare delivery projects and every other projects, it is either they are done to the best and highest standards or we won’t do them at all. We don’t cut corners,” the Governor said.

In his remarks, The Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Mazi Joe Eze-aru, said that upon assumption office, he met the Council Headquarters in ruins and dilapidated. He thanked Governor Otti for his unwavering support which, he said, made the renovation of the Council headquarters possible.

Meanwhile, the Governor also used the opportunity to attend the coronation ceremony of His Royal Majesty, Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, as the 9th Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom held at Aro Civic Center.

At the coronation ceremony, the Governor commended Aro people for making the right and best choice by choosing His Royal Majesty, Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, as the 9th Eze Aro of Aro Kingdom.

“I have no doubt that majority of Aro people are very happy with what is happening today. There may be one or two people that are not happy.

“Let me make one point clear, any society that does not have leadership is a cursed Society. And leadership comes neither from the East, West, North or South. The Bible recorded that power comes from God. And at his own time, He makes things beautiful.

“So, I will like to use what happened in Aro and recommend it to other societies. Why do I say so? Gone are the days when people choose the worst rather than the best as leaders,” Governor Otti said.

On the qualities of the new AroKing, Dr. Otti said: “I want to say without any fear of contradiction that Aro people made the best choice. From what I have seen, from what I have read, from what I have heard about the 9th Eze Aro, he is the best in his class”.

“He is the type of leader that every society should aim to have. A leader that will invest in the community rather than stealing from the community, a leader that will show the light rather than initiating people into darkness, a leader that has a second address (a profession).”

Governor Otti thanked Aro people for their choice of king and wished the Eze Aro well in his reign.

The event attracted dignitaries, government functionaries, illustrious sons and daughters of Arochukwu, among others.