First Anniversary: We’ll Rebuild Umuahia To Become A Fitting Capital City, Gov Otti Promises

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Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has stated that his administration will elevate Umuahia, to the status of a state capital within a year.

Governor Otti, who has frequently described Umuahia as a glorified village, announced on Tuesday that the state government will launch a multibillion-naira terminal project in the capital city.

According to Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Otti spoke at an interdenominational thanksgiving service to commemorate his first anniversary in office. The event was held at Umuahia’s International Conference Centre.

He stated that the project’s goal is to consolidate all of the motor parks and railway terminals in one location and that Umuahia will be given a facelift befitting a capital city within the next year.

“We want Umuahia to be a legitimate capital city. We want all of the parks and markets, including the railway terminal, to be in the same location.

“You are aware that the railway is coming from Aba and will soon reach Umuahia. We have already agreed to relocate the Umuahia Central Terminal to the same location.

“So, Umuahia, you may not be able to recognise it if you travel in the next year,” Governor Otti explained.

The Governor reassured citizens that his administration would continue to do the right thing, regardless of whose ox was gored, and urged them to pray for him.

While promising to turn Abia’s story around for the better, the Governor stated that he is unconcerned about negative comments from certain quarters because he is accountable only to God and Abians.

Governor Otti stated that there will be no divisions in Abia under his administration because all residents, both indigenous and non-indigenous, will be treated equally.

“Under my administration, I have assured everyone that there will be no division. We all share the same identity.

“I believe that what is most important is that this administration does not discriminate; we do not even want to know where you are from in Abia.

“We do not want to know where you are from in Igboland. Once you live here (in Abia), you become a member of our community. That is why, for the first time, we have a Permanent Secretary who is from Edo State rather than Abia or any other state in the South East,” Governor Otti stated.

He thanked God for the opportunity to serve the state, which would not have been possible without God and the support of Abians, and promised not to disappoint God or the people.

The state Chief Executive stated that his administration is not celebrating the anniversary, but rather commemorating it through the commissioning of landmark projects carried out by his government.

The Rev. Dr. Uma Onwunta of the Presbyterian Church preached a sermon titled “Pay Back Time to God,” stating that God expects thanksgiving from his people and that what the Governor has done is in fulfilment of his vow to God.

According to him, one way to repay God is to pray and acknowledge that we can do nothing without His grace.

He emphasised the importance of Christians giving thanks to God, noting that much has been accomplished in the state under Governor Otti’s leadership.

The Thanksgiving Service was attended by top government functionaries including the deputy Governor, Engnr. Ikechukwu Emetu; House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Austin Nmeregini; Chief Judge of the State, Honourable Justice Lilian Abai; Senator Darlington Nwokocha, member representing Ikwuano-Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Obi Aguocha; National Vice Chairman of Labour Party (LP) South East, Elder Ceekay Igara; Archbishop Chibuzo