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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti will, today, commission the reclaimed erosion devastated Ovom Street, as well as flag off the reconstruction of Enyimba International Hotel, all in Aba, Abia State.
The Director General, Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Uche Ukeje, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in his office.
Ukeje said the road project was a watershed because a very large portion of the project site was first devastated by a 42-metre deep gully before the road was reclaimed and reconstructed.
“This road project is, indeed, a watershed because a very large portion of the project site was first devastated by a 42-metre deep gully before the road was reclaimed and reconstructed by the present administration, under GADA supervision.”
Ukeje described the project as one of the most captivating engineering feats of the Otti administration.
The GADA DG spoke of how, in 2023, during the electioneering, Governor Otti promised to check the erosion menace if elected governor, and expressed joy the promise was kept.
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He said apart from the Ovom Street, other adjourning streets in the area have been reconstructed as part of Governor Otti’s urban renewal programme. Ukeje also announced that the governor will equally flag off the reconstruction of Enyimba International Hotel abandoned for over 40 years.
Giving the historical overview of the hotel, Ukeje said the idea for the project was muted by the late Dr. Ukapia Asika administration of the defunct East Central State; but was actually started by the late Dr. Sam Mbakwe regime under Imo State.
The GADA boss disclosed that over 5,000 jobs will be created during the reconstruction of the hotel, while the hospitality facility will employ over 2,000 staff on completion.
The scope of work of the project, Ukeje disclosed, will include the dredging of the Aba River (Waterside), to give the hotel global outlook.
Ukeje revealed plans by the state government to dualise the road linking the Abia Airport, under construction, with Aba, to create easy access to the hotel for people coming from outside Abia State.
The project, which is being undertaken by Radisson Blu, is expected to be completed in 18 months time.
