Port Harcourt Road: Many thought I was in hurry to take over govt. says Otti
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
As Abians eagerly await the commissioning of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Abia State, the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has explained that he invited Julius Berger, the contractor handling the Port Harcourt Road reconstruction and expansion project to inspect the road prior to his swearing in because of his desire to maximize time.
Recall that while waiting to be sworn into office as Governor following his sweeping victory in the 2023 Abia State governorship election on the platform of Labour Party, the first time an opposition party would be dethroning the Peoples Democratic Party which held onto power for 24 years in the state, Dr. Otti invited Julius Berger officials to inspect the dilapidated and abandoned Port Harcourt Road, Aba.
The move set tongues wagging that he was impatient, but in a haste to take over power.
But the Governor during his March 5, 2025 Monthly Media Chat denied that he was driven by any motive other than to maximize time, which is why, he said, his administration was driving massive infrastructure development simultaneously, to be able to transform all sectors of the state’s economy.
“We don’t have time. We are in a hurry. So, we have to do so many things at the same time. Before you know it, the four years is over and you will be wondering what happened. And that’s why, even before we were sworn in, we brought Julius Berger to Port Harcourt road and they started the road design.
“Some people didn’t understand what we were doing. They taught we were in a hurry to take over but we were simply trying to maximize time,” the Governor said.
According to him, the Port Harcourt Road project would be ready for commissioning by May 29, this year. Also, he said that the ongoing expansion of Library Avenue (now popularly referred to as Bank Road) would be completed before the end of this month, while work was progressing at various project sites across the state, including the recently flagged-off Omenuko bridge.
On Power, Governor Otti said a lot was being done to increase power availability and stability across the state. He disclosed that the process of acquiring a certain share of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company was progressing steadily, stressing that when actualized, it would create a new power distribution paradigm in the State.
“Our overarching objective is to improve power supply which will greatly make doing business in the State more affordable and attractive for local and international investors,” he said.
“If you don’t get power supply right, you will be struggling with virtually everything,” he added, explaining why government was putting in so much effort to ensure steady power supply across the state.
On security, the State Chief Executive acknowledged that there was appreciable level of peace and security across the state as a result of proactive measures put in place by the combined security architecture of the State.
He also announced that the Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria has indicated interested in partnering with the state to revive the Aba Textiles Mills. The Ambassador visited the facility during his recent visit to the state. “We are open to exploring opportunities that will lead to the resuscitation of our industrial base,” Dr. Otti said.
According to the Governor, efforts were ongoing to restore public water supply in Aba and other urban areas across the state as government was working on the original plans of water schemes that existed. “Before the end of the year, we shall begin to see results,” he assured.
