Some Ukwa West critical stakeholders, on Saturday, during a Town Hall meeting at the Chyvik Model Secondary School, Obehie, in the Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, lauded the Governor of the State, Dr. Alex Otti, for the developmental projects he has carried out in the area.
The stakeholders, who said they were impressed with the developmental strides of the Governor across the State, particularly in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia, however, appealed to the Governor to give more attention to Ukwa West, considering the fact it is the only oil producing area in the State.
Speaking during the meeting, the traditional ruler of Obuzor Autonomous Community, HRM, Eze Onyemauwa Nwagbara, who described Otti as a World Class Governor, conveyed the appreciation of the people of Ukwa West to the Governor for the revocation of the land acquired from them by the immediate past administration in the State for the Enyimba Economic City project, adding that the acquisition dealt a devastating blow to his people.
In his own speech, former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Pastor Ralph Egbu, while calling for a strong commendation for the Governor for attention he has, so far, given to Ukwa West, urged him to consolidate on the trust he has earned from the people, and appealed for more developmental projects in the areas of electricity, a standard hospital and reviewing the issue of permanent Secretaries with a view to appointing someone from Ukwa West.
The Acting President General of Asa Development Union, ADU, Barrister G.O.C. Ihenko, said the people of Ukwa West were solidly behind the Abia State government led by Otti, adding that his administration has shown commitment to the infrastructural development of Ukwa West.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, highlighted the projects Otti’s government has been doing through the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC, which includes the reconstruction of the Obehie – Asa High School old road, the construction of the Asa Civic Centre. He also said the government had, in 2023, completed a major road at Obehie.
On the Abia Industrial Innovation Park, AIIP, the Commissioner disclosed that all the procedures required to acquire land for the project were followed by the State Government, stressing that compensation would soon be paid to the people whose land have been acquired.
Also speaking, the Mayor of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Mr. Newman Azu, said that his administration has completed the total renovation of the Ukwa High Court, the administrative block of the Nigeria Police at Obehie and grading of critical rural roads in the area.
He added that the upgrading of the Ukwa West Customary Court, which according to him was dilapidated, was nearing completion.
The General Manager, ASOPADEC, Venerable Dr. Joshua Onyeike, who was represented by Pastor Promise Onwukwe, recalled that the major road at Obehie completed by the Commission was the first project that was commissioned in the State by Governor Otti. He said the Asa Civic Centre, Obehie – Asa High School old road and the Umuajoha market that were being constructed by ASOPADEC would be completed in record time.
The Commissioner for Information, Chief Okey Kanu, in his remarks, stated that the government has rehabilitated 70 roads in Aba and Umuahia towns through direct labour which saved some good money for the government.
He said the government was determined to restore the glory and strategic position of Aba in the South East, noting that in virtually every aspect of governance, Otti’s administration has done well.
He said the government had embarked on far reaching reforms in the State Civil Service, adding that it would continue to sanitise the workforce, which according to him, was filled with many ghost workers.
The Information Commissioner, who disclosed that a modular refinery would begin operations by December, next year at Owaza, said the government would continue to create the enabling environment for businesses to strive.
Other dignitaries that attended the event included many traditional rulers in Ukwa West Local Government Area, Deputy Mayor, Ukwa West, Michael Anele, Associate Prof. Onwubiko Dike, Dr. Chibuike Kanu, Elder Alfred Agomuo, Dr. Stanford Ibe OC Ememe, Mr. Chibuzor Nwankpa, and many others.
