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Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Wednesday said past administration in the State spent humongous amount in the reconstruction of Port Harcourt road and still did not actualise the road project.
The Governor disclosed this while addressing Aba community who organized a thanksgiving carnival tagged ‘Promise Kept Carnival’ at Umuagbai Secondary School premises, Port Harcourt road, Aba in celebration of the Governor for reconstructing and completing Port Harcourt Road, abandoned for over 3 decades.
He recalled his efforts at fixing Port Harcourt Road against attacks of the noisy opposition, adding that he replies the shameless opposition with performances.
In his words,”But, we have always ignored them. And we have continued to ignore them. We respond with performance. But, there is a response I want to give.
‘So, when in 2025, the Road cost N36.5 Billion, they started making noise. So, I said, since you people understand mathematics, the average exchange rate in 2017 was N333 to a Dollar. Now, if you apply that, the N9.8 Billion was actually USD29 Million (equivalent)
“In 2025, at the average exchange rate of N1,600, N36.5 Billion is actually USD22.8 Million equivalent. So, let us do the maths.
He revealed that the amount of money spent by the immediate past administration in the reconstruction of Port Harcourt road, which was not realized was much more than what his government spent in realizing the road project.
Governor Alex Otti also disclosed that his administration has secured 20 electric buses which will be rolled out in the next 2 months.
In a statement posted online by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, Governor Otti said that the bus terminals are being built for the transport system in the State while the 20 electric buses for transportation would be for the first instance.
The statement quoted Governor Otti to have said, “In the next two months, not more than two months, our transport system will start working. So, if you go around, you will see the bus terminals we are building.
“We have paid for the 20 electric buses. So, they are bringing the buses to carry you and I, and the buses will be beautiful.
“You know the kind of buses you see abroad. That is the kind of buses you will see in Abia. The only difference is that these buses will not use petrol. It will not use diesel. It will not use gasoline. They will be electric buses,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti while appreciating the reception organized for him, thanked Aba people for their sustained support for him right from 2015 when he contested the Governorship election for the first time and said that Aba has been giving him massive support since then.
He used the opportunity to give N1.4 million as a reward to a ‘Keke’ driver in Aba, who returned N2.4 million naira forgotten by a passenger in his keke and commended such act of honesty, which he said Abians are known for.
Speaking at the event, Senator Darlington Nwokocha and Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa hailed Governor Alex Otti and his giant strides in Aba and Abia State in general. They said the feat so far achieved by Governor Otti is testament of a focused leadership in the State.
Speaking on behalf of the Aba business community and the Aba Landlord’s Association, Chief David Ogba Onuoha, Chief Leo Nnodi Okoye, Chief Alphonsus Odigbo and the Chairman of the occasion, Ide John Udeagba, said they decided to put the event together to show appreciation to the Governor, and emphasized that though he has done great things in Aba, but Port Harcourt Road is top among others.
Earlier, the convener of the carnival, Chief Onyeka Ernest Udeajah praised and thanked the Governor for his giant developmental strides. He said that what Aba is witnessing is evidence of God’s goodness.
Chief Udeajah said that Port Harcourt Road stands tall in the achievements of the Governor and described the event as an emergence of a new day and season, affirming that indeed, help is here for Abia people.
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