FOR Residents of Aba, the commercial nerve city of Abia state and Southern Nigeria, they have never had it so good with governance until the present Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti assumed office in 2023.
The joy and excitement expressed by the people of Aba is understandable as the residents have suffered many years of infrastructural decay for no government had mitigated their plight since the inception of the present political dispensation in 1999.
Little wonder that Aba residents continue to roll out the drums to celebrate Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, as he has changed the narratives and touched the people at their point of need.
Recently, the people of Aba joyfully celebrated the Governor in an elaborate ceremony tagged ” PROMISE KEPT “. Governor Otti had on assumption of office promised the people of Aba That he would fix the protracted deplorable Portharcourt road in Aba within his two years as a Governor and he brought one of the most reputable giant contractors in Nigeria, Julius Berger Nig and before two years the road was completed. This is outside other ongoing major road projects in the commercial city.
Barely few weeks later , indigenes of the famous Abiriba Enachioken in Aba organised a grand Reception at the Enyimba International Stadium, filled to it’s brim with the city’s business activities shut down completely for the Governor with praises and encomuim pouring from each speaker at the occasion for the excellent transformational capacity exhibited by the Governor across the state in just two years.
But like the Parable of the Good Shepherd, a well-known Biblical Injunction specifically found in the book of John 10: 1-2, in this parable
Jesus compared Himself to the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep emphasising his role as a protector and saviour.
The circumstances that surrounded Aba, the commercial hub of Abia state, were such that the people were in despair, anguished, and hopelessness covered the entire atmosphere.
But in what could be likened to a clarion call, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti echoed ” Here Am l, Send Me”.
As the Good Shepherd, Governor Otti surrendered all the comfort of bed at night and rather chose to be awake in the middle of the night such that when all of us were in deep dreams of ” Romeo and Juliet” Dr. Otti was standing in the centre of Aba thinking about how to return the lost Glory of the once vibrant commercial nerve of the West African Sub Region.
To be focused as a good Shepherd, he chose the part of truth, strict reliance on financial regulations in the management of the finances of Abia State. This is what the promoters of the Bandwagon effect did not like about him. Of course, to them, the usual business is over.
Today, that strict reliance on financial regulations in the management of Abia State has yielded tremendous results in many areas of the state’s socio-political and Economic endeavours.
Governor Alex Otti came prepared with his blueprint for Aba and immediately he assumed office, he sent an Executive bill to the State House of Assembly for the creation of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA). This was his first bill, and when passed into law, he inaugurated the Agency with Architect Uche Ukeje as the pioneer Director General of GADA, and since then, the Agency has keyed into the developmental and transformational visions and goals of the Governor.
A few weeks back, precisely on Tuesday, May 10th, 2025, the state Governor commissioned fourteen more roads handled by GADA and the State Ministry of Works, all in Aba. Aba people, filled with ecstasy and joy, couldn’t hold back as they trooped out en masse to celebrate a working Governor who understands the needs of his people. The love demonstrated was so frenzied and tremendous that the Governor was almost joyfully mobbed by the people.
The roads commissioned include; Umuode road, Bakassi road, Isu Ihiteukwa street, Asa Road, Enyimba junction – Ariraria gate, Rehabilitated Market Road from Asa to Eziukwu Road, Aba, Tenant Road from Asa Road to Eziukwu Road, Cameroun Road from Asa Road to Eziukwu Road, Ehi Road from Queens Road to Eziukwu Road, Clifford Road Aba from Asa Road to Eziukwu Road, School Road from Asa to the Railway Crossing, Afikpo Road from Eziukwu Road to School Road, Afikpo Road to School Road and Asa Triangle Bypass.
In a historic address delivered at St. Joseph’s College, Asa Triangle, Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, marked a bold new chapter in the rebirth of Aba, unveiling the reconstruction of 14 interconnected roads as part of an ambitious urban renewal drive aimed at transforming the city into a modern commercial and industrial hub.
The commissioning of key roads, including Umuode, Bakassi, Enyimba Junction–Ariaria Gate, and Isu Ihiteukwa, underscores what the Governor described as “not just a celebration of infrastructure, but a rebirth of hope, a revival of destiny, and a restoration of Aba’s soul.”
For over a century, Aba has drawn entrepreneurs, artisans, and families from across Nigeria and beyond. But decades of neglect had dimmed its lustre — until now. Governor Otti’s administration has not only revived its road network but also its spirit, restoring faith in the city’s boundless potential.
“In the New Aba,” Governor Otti declared, “all you would need to prosper and reach your goal is to have the courage to wake up each morning and chase your dreams. Here, there shall be no limit to what you can achieve.”
The Governor’s speech painted a vivid picture of Aba’s resurgence — from its strategic location near major oil towns and ports to its burgeoning infrastructure in broadband, energy, and industrial development. This vision positions Aba to attract global investors in technology, manufacturing, and remote services.
Acknowledging the vital role of stakeholders, Governor Otti lauded residents, landlords, and business owners for their patience and cooperation, emphasising the shared responsibility to maintain public infrastructure and uphold environmental standards.
He also praised the work of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and the State Ministry of Works, whose professionalism and diligence, he said, made the transformation possible.
As the crowd of stakeholders, residents, and dignitaries applauded the Governor’s bold vision and commitment, one message rang clear — Aba is not just rebuilding roads; it is rebuilding dreams.
Governor Otti’s urban renewal efforts mark a decisive moment in Abia’s history, positioning Aba not merely as a regional economic centre but as a globally competitive city ready for the future.
“Victory,” he concluded, “comes to those who look beyond the darkness of the night to the bright lights of the rays of the sun at dawn.”
He appreciated the business owners, landlords, and the residents for their patience and the massive support they gave the engineering team while they worked on the different stretches of roads and thanked the Ministry of Works and GADA management for their efforts in achieving the feat.
Also speaking, the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa and Mayor of Aba South, Hon. Obilor Anyanwu, appreciated the Governor for creating the enabling environment for businesses to flourish and said that he does not need to campaign in Aba for reelection. They added that the Aba people have overwhelmingly resolved that Governor Otti would lead Abia State beyond 2027.
In his speech, the Director General, Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Architect Uche Ukeje, said that the Governor Otti-led administration has always prioritised road infrastructure, hence, he has remained committed to fulfilling his electioneering campaign promises.
Architect Ukeje noted that the Eziukwu ends of the roads fixed in Aba town were nothing to write home about before it was fixed, saying that the 14 roads would help in improving the movement of goods and services sold across Aba markets. He added that the fixing of the roads has equally increased the value of properties located in the areas.
Earlier, the Bishop of Aba Catholic Diocese, Professor Augustine Echema, who was represented by the Education Secretary of the Diocese, Reverend Fr. Dr.
Vincent Ogugua, a representative of the Aba business community, Eze Ernest Onwuka, appreciated the unwavering commitment and infrastructural development strides of Governor Otti and assured him of their continuous support.
Also speaking, a medical Doctor and a resident of Aba, Dr Maduako Njoku (SNR), told our correspondent that Governor Alex Chioma Otti has used GADA to save many lives as his hospital, located on one of the commissioned roads, has been deserted because of no access road.
He said, “This is like a dream to me. When I saw GADA on this road, I couldn’t believe my eyes, but to my greatest amazement, the road is completed. May God bless our Governor for the wisdom in creating GADA and empowering them to work”
Aside from the Roads commissioned, GADA is doing other mega projects such as the Ovom Street erosion, the Umuosi road connecting to Ohanku Road, the iconic Eziama Pedestrian bridge, Isiala Okpu Road connecting Umuchichi and Council Hall to 7up in Obingwa LG, and preparation of the first ever 25 Years Aba Master which is about 90% completion. Indeed GADA is living up to its mandate of making Aba an attractive global destination for industry, commerce and entrepreneurship by providing world-class infrastructure.
