Otti Promises To Build Monuments, Beautify Borders With Neighbouring States

The Abia State Government has begun a process of beautifying and standardising the state’s gateways, including the construction of monuments at all state borders.

Dr. Alex Otti, stated this at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Umuikaa District Headquarters, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, where he attended Sabbath worship this weekend.

In a press statement from Kazie Uko,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Otti, who announced to the congregation that the dualisation of Umuikaa-Owerrinta Road, which will end at the boundary with Imo State via the Imo River Bridge, is about to begin.
He stated that the idea behind the monuments is to have a refreshing unique identity that alerts visitors or those travelling through the State when they enter Abia.

“We want you to know when you arrive in Abia State. We will have a monument at the Imo River, as well as at Onu Imo (the border with Imo between Mbaise and Umuahia), Umunneochi (on the Enugu-Umuahia-Aba Motorway), Nguzu Edda (in Ohafia LGA), Onicha Ngwa Nlagu (in Obingwa LGA) and Obigbo.

“When you enter any part of Abia, you will know you are in Abia,” he said.

Governor Otti assured that all those whose buildings and properties will be affected by the dualisation will be adequately compensated by the government, following the precedent set by the six-lane dual carriage Ossah Road in Umuahia.

He stated, “I am sorry that some fences and buildings will be demolished. However, before we demolish any fence or building, we will pay compensation.

“If you are unsure, go ask Ossah people. We demolished over 200 structures there. But first, we paid the owners 100% compensation, which they used to build elsewhere.”

Following the church service, Governor Otti conducted an inspection of the ongoing waste dump clearing at Alaoji, near Aba, by the median of the Aba-Port Harcourt Express Way.

The Governor’s convoy was surrounded by a crowd of grateful and ecstatic supporters, who chanted praises and sang solidarity songs as the vehicles approached the site.

The Governor addressed the crowd, saying, “I came to inspect the median where you have waste. It is not good, and I told them to clean it up; they are trying, but not in the way I wanted. I will send them to thoroughly clean it. I do not want people inhaling bad air.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of your own government, because this is your government.”

He urged residents not to harbour criminals and to always expose such devious characters who live in their neighbourhoods.

“Anyone who knows a criminal is inside his home should bring him out. We do not want criminals to remain in Aba. We want Aba residents to have something to do.

“We do not want kidnappers or bandits,” he declared, adding that the government would assist them in finding legitimate employment.