Being the Text of an address presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the formal flag off of the reconstruction of 25-kilometre failed stretch of road along the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Highway on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Ahiaeke Umuahia
Protocols
1. The prosperity of any community is tied to the availability and spread of support structures to expand the combined productivity of the population. As we learnt from a careful study of the kingdoms and empires that set development standards across centuries, the first step to growth and wealth creation on a social scale is targeted investments in infrastructure. One common denominator in the rise and dominance of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires until the middle of 15th century, United States of America from the late 19th century, the emergence of modern China from the late 1970s and the economic marvel of the UAE over the last few decades is the sustained commitment to infrastructural development. From extensive road networks to seemingly interminable railway lines, deep seaports and the robust system of structures that support the take-off of large-scale production, mass movement of people and goods, substantial capital inflows and export of commodities to other parts of the world, those who ran this race before us left us a clear roadmap for progress.
2. It is my conviction that there is really no magic to development because we already have a surfeit of templates that can be adopted and fine-tuned to accommodate local peculiarities. While the empires, countries and federations with a long history of growth and prosperity vary in sizes, tenure of influence, path, and the vehicle to the top, the interesting thing is that they all had a few things in common. Firstly, the development agenda was set and adopted, a definite path to resource mobilisation was outlined and then the right investments in infrastructure were made. Over time, the people began to witness the expansion of opportunities, the fattening of their wallets and the need for bigger saving boxes. My development thesis is that you cannot go wrong by investing in standard infrastructure, especially roads in critical corridors. In the last 2 years, all that we have done is to put that theory to test. This afternoon, I am glad to announce that on the strength of unassailable evidence across communities in all parts the State, roads indeed are synonymous with prosperity and improved social experiences.
3. In the light of the above, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we have gathered to further deepen what will become the foundation of our prosperity by flagging off the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road within the boundaries of our State. I am glad to join the body of stakeholders in welcoming everyone who has come to witness this important event. Thank you for the honour of your esteemed presence. We are specially thankful for the generous show of support and goodwill to the administration. May I assure you that we do not take your commitment and devotion to the New Abia project for granted and as I had said repeatedly, we shall not let you down. We are here to work for you because that is the only reason we aspired for this position — to right the wrongs of the past, restore what was lost and set Abia on the path of irreversible progress.
Over the past 29 months, we have stayed focused on the goal that inspired our aspiration for we appreciate the enormity of the work to be done and the seriousness it requires. Thank you for standing by the administration and for the remarkable patience you showed, even as you endured the daily horror of driving and commuting through this road. Today however, we have gathered to collectively declare an effective end to the nightmare. This project, it has to be noted, would not be completed in a day but from this day forward, you will begin to see clear evidence that indeed, we are faithful to our promise of restoration and ascent.
4. As you may be aware, the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road is a federal highway but for us, every stretch of road used by our people is of great importance and has to be in good shape. We do not accept the doctrine of dichotomy when it comes to roads because majority of the users are our people who ply them in their daily commutes to work or to push their agro-produce to urban markets. To that extent, we have since made a resolute commitment that every road that passes through the length and breadth of Abia, whether designated as federal, state or LGA, shall be built and maintained to be supportive of our economic and social endeavours. Therefore, we shall, when required, get the necessary approvals from the federal authorities to fix them, as we have done in this case. The general objective is to accelerate the actualisation of our broad development agenda.
5. I would like to specially appreciate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for graciously giving us the go-ahead to initiate the reconstruction of the abandoned sections of this federal highway. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, CON, for his firm support and guidance as we worked the technical documents for the takeover of the project. We are greatly impressed with the favourable disposition of the federal government to the holistic infrastructural development of our State. We have said it in the past and it bears repeating today that differences in political affiliations need not stand in the path of the responsibilities of governance and other critical development imperatives. On this score, I would also like to express the collective gratitude of our people to Abuja for refusing to be misled by the petty designs of a few political actors from this state who attempted to scuttle this initiative just to massage their oversized ego. Like we have consistently stated, politics and political power is never an end in itself but a means to a noble end which basically is development and progress in our communities.
6. You may be aware that the initial contract for the reconstruction of the whole stretch of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road was awarded about ten years ago by the Federal Government. Unfortunately, the work did not progress, even as the situation of the road deteriorated — leaving transporters and commuters with terrible experiences. Local entrepreneurs, importers, landlords, students and the general population who use this route regularly passed through tunnels of hell over the years with many losing loved ones to road traffic accidents. I am, however, glad that the Federal Government has stepped in to reset the terms of its original agreement with the contractor to complete sections of the road it earlier started while approving that we reconstruct the segments that have not been worked on which covers a distance of 25 kilometres.
7. Following the greenlight from Abuja, we contracted Geld Construction Limited, a reputable civil engineering company known for the successful execution of quality projects to drive the delivery of the stretch that falls within our territory. The news we shall all go home with as we return to our various communities is that the night of anguish has now given way to the rising of a new light — joy has replaced misery and the torments of yesterday shall soon be forgotten. When this road is completed in about 18 months as the contractor had promised, we shall gather one more time to congratulate ourselves for outliving what became a telling evidence of patterned neglect. In line with the standards already established in our road project delivery architecture, solar-powered streetlights shall be installed to improve security and socioeconomic experience of residents and commuters. Our overarching goal, beyond improved travel experience for drivers and commuters, is to empower households, stimulate economic growth in communities and create an environment that support the dreams of our people.
8. We appreciate that some certain sacrifices would be required of us as parts of the heavy engineering machineries begin to roll and move. You are invited to cooperate with the safety directives from the teams and be patient with everyone. It will not be very easy for many of us as we may run into traffic gridlocks from time to time, witness intermittent road closures and environmental disturbances as we commute. My charge to you would be to take extra measures to insulate yourselves and families from the health hazards that may follow but you can rest assured that every necessary safety measure shall be put in place to mitigate the impact of the inevitable disturbances and disruptions.
9. Abia, as you can see, is rising from the ruins of yesteryears; we are all encouraged to play our parts as stakeholders in the development universe. Endeavour to pay your taxes and other fees as required by law, support the initiatives of the government to keep your communities safe and crime free, and above all, stay vigilant — resist the shenanigans of those whose singular obsession is to drag us to the better-forgotten era of structural failures and treachery. Together, we shall frustrate their designs for not to do so would be to betray the future.
10. Thank you for listening and God bless Abia State.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,
October 24, 2025