In a comprehensive year-end address, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has laid out a detailed roadmap for sustained and transformative development across the state’s critical sectors. Speaking during a monthly media parley at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti moved beyond mere pledges, providing specific timelines, strategic context, and the underlying philosophy driving his administration’s ambitious agenda. This commitment spans physical infrastructure, human capital development, environmental sustainability, and economic revitalization.
Infrastructure & Environment: Building Foundations and Fostering Civic Responsibility
Governor Otti acknowledged the temporary inconveniences caused by widespread road construction and asphalt laying, urging continued patience from residents. He framed this not as a short-term project but as the foundational work for long-term economic mobility and connectivity.
More notably, he intricately linked infrastructure to public health through a stringent waste management policy. Declaring a “zero tolerance for rubbish,” Otti’s approach is twofold: a government-led efficient disposal system and a civic responsibility model. He challenged residents directly, stating, “Any time you see anything that should not be on the road… make sure he picks it up and puts it in his pocket.” This highlights a governance shift towards creating a collaborative, clean environment rather than relying solely on government cleanup.
Healthcare & Education: Investing in Human Capital and Systemic Standards
The administration’s healthcare strategy is systemic. Otti revealed the ongoing renovation and equipping of over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), with a critical emphasis on meeting minimum service standards. This move aims to decongest tertiary facilities by making quality basic care accessible at the community level. The plan is bolstered by the active recruitment of qualified medical professionals to staff these revived centers.
This focus on system-strengthening is yielding recognition; Otti credited healthcare workers for Abia’s recent national awards in Health Emergency Preparedness and Primary Healthcare Leadership.
In education, the strategy mirrors this holistic view. Beyond renovation and fencing, the governor highlighted smart school projects and the involvement of Homeland Security in securing public schools. This integration of physical infrastructure, digital learning, and safety underscores a multi-pronged effort to create a conducive learning environment, with a new phase of projects slated for 2026.
Power & Transport: A Revolutionary Shift Towards State Control and Sustainability
Perhaps the most technically significant announcements were in the energy and transport sectors. Otti confirmed a landmark transition: the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) has officially taken over regulatory functions from the national body, following the Electricity Act 2023. This grants the state authority to manage, regulate, distribute, and generate electricity.
The practical implications are profound. Otti reported the restoration of electricity to 33 communities in Ukwa West after nine years of darkness. Furthermore, he disclosed advanced negotiations to take over the remaining eight local government areas currently under the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) by the first quarter of 2026. This would place Abia’s entire electricity market under state oversight. Discussions are also ongoing to ensure steady gas supply to Geometric Power in Aba, with plans to distribute excess generation from the Aba grid across the state, potentially solving perennial power issues in areas like Bende and Ohafia.
Parallel to this is a green transport initiative. The pilot rollout of 20 electric buses (with 80 more targeted by end-2026) serves a dual purpose: providing free transportation and reducing carbon emissions. Otti personally tested the service, traveling from Umuahia to Ukwa West. This pilot scheme is a tangible step towards environmental sustainability and modernized public transit.
Industrial Revival & Security: Economic Growth Through Strategic Takeovers
Moving beyond infrastructure, Otti detailed an aggressive strategy for economic revival through the reactivation of moribund industries. The state has already taken over Star Paper Mill Ltd. and is finalizing the takeover of Afro Beverages. Advanced discussions are also underway for Modern Ceramics, International Glass Industry, and the Metallurgical Plant.
The governor’s rationale was explicitly employment-focused: “Even if we don’t make money, we want our people to have jobs and we want our economy to grow.” This indicates a strategic use of state resources to stimulate private-sector activity and job creation, viewing revived industries as catalysts for broader economic growth.
Underpinning all these developments is the priority of security. Otti commended security agencies for maintaining relative peace, emphasizing a proactive approach to “nip all sorts of disturbance in the bud” to allow citizens and businesses to thrive safely.
Governor Otti’s address transcends a simple progress report. It outlines a cohesive, multi-year strategy where infrastructure development, energy independence, environmental policy, human capital investment, and industrial policy are interlinked components of a single vision for a transformed Abia State. The coming years will be critical in translating these detailed plans into sustained, tangible outcomes for the people of Abia.
Edited by Christiana Fadare
Source: NAN News
