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administrations and particularly in the last 24 years.
Some of the other significant achievements of the Alex Otti government within 100 days in office are the ongoing reconstruction of no fewer than 11 roads in Aba, most of them at various stages of completion, and the launch of the ‘Operation Crush’, a multi agency security Taskforce to combat crime in the State.
Shortly after he was inaugurated as the fifth democratically elected Governor of Abia State, Governor Otti hit the roads in Aba, where he handed over nine critical roads to some reputable construction companies among which were CCECC, MCC and Craneburg, for either total reconstruction or palliative works. The roads include University Road, Green Avenue, Udeagbala Road, Shallom Road, Umuimo Road, Old Express Road, Abak Road (with adjoining streets), Queen’s Street and Jubilee Road. The number was soon to increase to 11 with the addition of Cemetery Road and Emelogu Road.
In Umuahia, the State capital, the government has signalled the intention to widen the Ossa Road, leading to Okpara Square, the city centre. The road, which was poorly dualised by a previous administration, will be turned into a six-lane double carriage way by the time Governor Otti is done with it. Compensation package has already been worked out for owners of properties whose houses would be affected by the reconstruction, talk of a government that cares about its citizens.
Meanwhile, while waiting for Ossa Road to commence, some strategic roads in the State Capital are receiving face-lift with ongoing palliative works. Also, as part of the overall plan to jump-start the rejuvenation of the economy of Umuahia, the government has embarked on what it called, ‘Operation Light-up Umuahia’. It is believed that this project would help establish a nightlife for the capital city that usually goes to sleep once it gets dark.
With about 30 brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles equipped with communication gadgets already deployed for the operation by the State, Operation Crush is the Alex Otti administration’s answer to violent crimes, including kidnapping for ransom. The Umunneochi-Isuikwuato axis, which had been a hotbed for kidnapping activities, even before the Otti administration, is a major reason for setting up this security task force. Barely one month of operation, sanity is speedily returning to the Abia end of the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba Expressway, especially the sore points around Lokpanta in Umunneochi.
Indeed, the journey to rejuvenating Abia has started in earnest, and Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, from emerging accounts, obviously has his hands firmly on the plough and not looking back. The days, weeks, months, and years ahead will tell more.
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