Follow Us on Google
By Sunday Ani
Ever since Alex Otti assumed office on May 29 as the fourth civilian governor of Abia State, the citizens of the state have been rejoicing and celebrating. His declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as the winner of the April 18, 2023 governorship elections in Abia State, heralded wild jubilations across all nooks and crannies of the state.
After hundred days of his administration as Abia governor, Otti has not disappointed the people who massively turned out to vote for him as they have continued to celebrate his sterling achievements. He has continued to recalibrate and give Abia its rightful position in the comity of states that boast of peace, security, massive infrastructural development and economic growth.
In his acceptance speech after the declaration, he told the people of Abia State that the siege of bad leadership in the state was over.
He also vowed to unite the people rather than divide them, with his campaign slogan, ‘Weep No More, Help is on the Way.’ He also reiterated his determination to fully implement his five-point agenda, which included economic and social transformation, health and public service reforms, as well as internal security.
He said he was fully prepared to tackle head-on the deplorable infrastructure, roads, schools, and health systems in the state, even as he noted that there was no magic wand that could fix all the rot and decay in virtually all segments of the system, except selfless commitment and stoic determination to be resolute in implementing the state policies for the benefits of the people.
Looking at what he has been able to achieve in just 100 days in office, the governor was so proud and confident to declare during the recent event that marked the 32 years of the state’s existence that Abia State was in a new era of peace, security, prosperity and massive development
As a man who was prepared and well equipped for the task ahead, he did not waste a moment after he took over power as he quickly swung into action.
First, he waged war to clear the state of refuse because prior to his coming, Abia State had gained for itself the infamous status as the dirtiest state in Nigeria. It was that bad but Otti was determined to change the narrative. He frontally declared a state of emergency on refuse in Umuahia and Aba cities.
For over 10 years, the two cities had been ravaged by acute environmental challenges, which even hinder businesses and commercial activities in the two centres. But Otti would not tolerate any of such malfeasance especially with his administration’s mantra of a new era of peace, security, prosperity and massive development. So, he promptly dissolved all boards and removed agencies’ heads in the state. The move, according to financial administrative experts, was to ensure sanity, prudence, diligence and transparency in governance. He equally constituted an administrative panel of enquiry to investigate the workings of all the agencies’ boards dissolved.
Taking into consideration the fact that Aba is the commercial nerve centre of the state, he quickly awarded contracts for the reconstruction of about 30 roads across the state, particularly in the Aba area.
It is believed that in the last 100 days, life has returned to Aba and other local councils of Abia State because the reconstruction of some strategic roads in the state is ongoing. The belief in many quarters in Abia is that Otti’s first 100 days in office has dramatically lifted Abia State high and above many states in Nigeria and the governor is receiving accolades.
To achieve peace, prosperity and development, there must be security and in the last couple of years now, say for over 10 years, insecurity ranging from killing, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminal activities have been a major concern to Abia and her residents. Thousands of people have been killed, kidnapped or robbed just as properties worth millions of Naira have been destroyed in the state as a result of insecurity.
As Otti clocks 100 years in office, he can beat his chest to say, “I have restored sanity to Abia State, security wise.” He upgraded and beefed up the operational management of the Abia State security agencies with 20 Toyota patrol vehicles and launched a new security outfit codenamed Operation Crush.
As he was handing the vehicles to heads of the security agencies in the state, Otti said: “My government cannot negotiate with criminals. I call on all security agencies in Abia to identify and work with us in this noble fight against insecurity and criminal activities in the state for us to return to peace and stability.”
Otti has also taken drastic steps to revive the healthcare delivery, and quality education system, as well as massive infrastructural development. Also, sports, entertainment and tourism have equally received a boost as the governor strives to make Abia the centre of entertainment attraction and tourists’ destination.
Close watchers of Otti’s silent operation in Abia believe that the whole essence of appointing Nwankwo Kanu as the chairman of Enyimba FC of Aba is to make the former African champion better, bigger and more attractive to football investors for more lucrative and exciting deals. Kanu has seen it all both locally and internationally, so it is believed that his appointment would surely be very rewarding to the team, fans and the state in general.
Recall that Enyimba was the first team to lift the CAF Champions League title among other Nigerian teams that had competed for honours in the elite African club competition. The Aba giants smiled home with the trophy in 2003 and defended it back-to-back in 2004. The team has also been Premier League champions nine times and Federation Cup winners seven times. But, like Oliver Twist, Otti wants more for Enyimba.
The state’s IGR in the last 100 days of Gov Otti as Abia helmsman is looking very good. He has launched a new app for a new digital tax system. The app would be able to register every trader, shop and transporter without losing revenue. This would also make the revenue collection seamless. To ensure an efficient and effective tax system in the state, the state government is also planning to hold a town hall meeting with various stakeholders to interact and cross-fertilize ideas with them and equally keep them abreast of the modalities of the new tax regime.
In the midst of the foregoing practical steps by Gov Otti to recalibrate the God’s own state, he has not forgotten the plight of workers and pensioners. He promised that workers would be getting their salaries on or before the 28th of every month. That, he has consistently fulfilled.
Gov Otti has shown capacity to deal with the hydra-headed challenges he inherited from the previous administration in the state as his first 100 days attest to. He has devoted the period to recalibrating the state for rapid socio-economic development.
Indeed, Otti’s stellar performances in his first 100 days have convinced all doubting Thomases that truly Abia is marching towards peace, security, prosperity and massive development.
