- Umahi lauds Otti for good performance
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
President Bola Tinubu is set to visit Abia State on Friday, May 23, to commission the 6.5-kilometre Port Harcourt Road in Aba, the state’s commercial hub, reconstructed by Governor Alex Otti’s administration after over 15 years of neglect.
Minister of Works Dave Umahi announced this during an inspection of damage at the Osisioma axis of the 56-kilometre Abia Tower of Peace, Umuahia to Rail Flyover, Aba section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, which is under reconstruction. Umahi expressed delight that the long-dilapidated Port Harcourt Road is now complete, awaiting the President’s commissioning.
He praised Otti for the high-quality work, noting, “Abia has now gotten a governor; look at what he is doing in the state, and he is not making noise about it.” Umahi, calling Otti a relation, added, “You know Otti is my relation, and doing good while in office runs in our veins, so I’m not surprised at what he is doing; I would have if he were not doing well.”
Umahi highlighted Otti’s achievements in two years, saying people are amazed at how he funds numerous projects. He also revealed that the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, under reconstruction since 2013, will be completed by November 2025 for commissioning by Tinubu.
Regarding damage to about two kilometres of the expressway, caused by a contractor handling underground drainage for the Abia state government, Umahi directed the Abia Controller of Works to halt the contractor’s work and report to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja for discussions. He promised to meet Otti to resolve the issue.
Umahi commended Arab Contractors, the firm handling the expressway’s reconstruction, for their quality work. The site manager, Mohammed Elyam, confirmed that the left side of the dual carriageway is complete, with the right side set for completion by November 2025.
Abia Controller of Works Chidi Uwaeziozi praised Umahi’s hands-on approach and noted that roughly five kilometres remain to complete the 56-kilometre expressway section. “We are trying to make funds available to the contractor so that they can finish the work on time, by September hopefully,” he said.