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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Former Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for the massive transformation of Aba and other major cities in Abia state through the renewed infrastructure development and improved urban sanitation .
Ibok Essien, who is also the Founder of Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, made the remark after driving through Aba and Umuahia en route to neighbouring Rivers State recently.
He observed with delight that the scale and pace of work carried out by the Otti administration within two years adding that Gov Otti deserves sincere commendation.
IbokEssien pointed out that the turnaround of Aba’s urban roads and drainage projects, including the reconstruction of the once dilapidated Port Harcourt Road, now expanded into a modern six-lane carriageway with streetlights, roundabouts and proper drainage, describing it as the restoration of a major economic artery abandoned for decades.
Drawing from personal experience, the elder statesman recalled that he was part of the team of Engineers that supervised the original construction of Aba Urban Roads and Drainages by MCC, which included the Port Harcourt Road in Aba between 1979 and 1983, when Abia was under the old Imo State and governed by the late Sam Mbakwe, the first elected civilian governor of the State.
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“Since that period, the roads and much of Aba’s infrastructure suffered prolonged neglect, making the current expansion and upgrade a landmark intervention that has restored connectivity and eased movement across Aba commercial city”.
IbokEssien ; a Fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE) also admired the remodelling and reconstruction of the Ariaria International Market by Governor Otti, saying the project has repositioned Aba as a commercial centre that meets international standard .
” The construction of several roads in Umuahia, the evacuation of long-standing refuse dumps, and the general improvement in sanitation across the State are efforts by Gov Otti that have returned Aba and other urban centres to functional and livable conditions”.
According to him, the fact that Aba has become passable again after decades of deplorable roads is a clear indication of purposeful leadership .
He maintained that with the speed at which Governor Otti is driving development, Abia is steadily reclaiming its place as a leading economic and industrial centre in the South-East.
IbokEssien who is the immediate-past National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), also called for sustained public support for Governor Otti, noting that development thrives best when leaders are encouraged by the people.
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