Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has  flaged-off the construction of the Abia Specialist and Diagnostic Centre, Umunnato, Alayi Bende LGA.

The project is part of the efforts of Governor Otti to upgrade the long abandoned Umunnato General Hospital into a tertiary healthcare facility, with 100-bed ward, theatres, accident and emergency units, general outpatient departments, maternity wards, dental units and radiology departments.

Performing the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, 28th May, 2026, as part of activities marking his third anniversary in office, Governor Otti said that he decided to demolish and rebuild the old and dilapidated facility to get desired quality.

The Governor instructed the contractor to comply strictly with the specifications and deliver within one year. He constituted a four-man supervisory team comprising the member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma; House of Representatives hopeful for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr Chima Anyaso; and the Deputy Mayor of Bende LGA, Lady Ifeoma Agu.

“We found that it was cheaper to do that (demolish & build a new one) than to try and fix something that you probably wouldn’t even get exactly what you require. Anywhere we flag-off a project, it means it will be commissioned and it will be commissioned in record time.

The Governor expressed optimism that the hospital would be ready for commissioning during activities marking his administration’s fourth anniversary and inauguration of his second term in office.

“So, the contractor is here and I would like to give the contractor a target.

“So, in the next one year as we will be celebrating our fourth anniversary and preparing for the next inauguration, we shall be commissioning this project,” Gov. Otti stated.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche noted that the establishment of the specialist hospital was in fulfilment of the Governor’s promise that each senatorial zone in the State would have a tertiary healthcare facility to serve as a referral centre for specialised medical care.

He said that when the Governor took over office, he made it a point of priority that, “every senatorial district or senatorial zone in Abia State must have a tertiary hospital to serve as the pinnacle referral centre for that senatorial zone.

“And that is to bring specialised care to the doorstep of Abians so that nobody is left behind”, Prof Uche stated.

The Commissioner noted that the abandoned hospital, was established in 1962, and had deteriorated for decades.

“This hospital was initially established in 1962. At that time, it was serving the whole of Abia North. Unfortunately, for 40 years, it has been abandoned,” Prof. Uche stated.

He said that Abia State University Teaching Hospital serves Abia South Senatorial zone, the Amachara Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre caters for Abia Central, while the Umunnato facility would serve the Abia North.

Prof. Uche, informed the mammoth crowd that consultants working towards securing the Joint Commission International (JCI) certification, which is regarded globally as one of the highest standards in hospital accreditation, had already commenced work in line with the directive of the Governor.

The Governor later commissioned two Primary Healthcare Centres, including the Umuisi Primary Healthcare facility and the Okafia Primary Healthcare facility all in Igbere, Bende Local Government Areas.

Many dignitaries including the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, members of the National and State Assembly, Commissioners and many stakeholders.

Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has performed the ground breaking ceremony for the reconstruction of the 100 -bedded historic Okpuala-ngwa General Hospital in Isialangwa North LGA.

Governor Otti equally commissioned the newly rebuilt, retrofitted and functionalized Government Cottage Hospital, Umuihie, Okporoahaba, Isialangwa South LGA

Speaking at the ceremonies as part of the activities marking the third anniversary of his government, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the healthcare system across Abia State.

Governor Otti described the Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital as a facility of great historical importance to the people of the area and Abians generally, noting that it once served as one of the major healthcare institutions in the old Eastern region, where prominent medical professionals, including the late Dr. Chima Nwafor served.

Governor Otti described as a shame, the failure of the present day generation to fix and maintain hospitals established by our forefathers and noted that, “What we have come here to do today is to restore this hospital to its former glory,” Gov. Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive, who disclosed that work has already commenced at the Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital, assured that the hospital would be equipped as a modern, state-of-the-art medical facility and would be delivered in record time.

Governor Otti informed the mammoth crowd who were cheering him that the portions of the hospital land previously acquired illegally had been fully recovered by the government, warning against encroachment on public property.

While commissioning the Government Cottage Hospital Umuihie, Governor Otti challenged the benefiting community and stakeholders to ensure that they protect the facility.

“When our attention was drawn to it (the cottage hospital), we decided to weigh in, renovate and rehabilitate it and put it to use.

“We want to say that this is a big challenge to the community and I like what distinguished Senator Darlington Nwokocha just said.

“This is your facility in your community. And I want to challenge all of you that you have to protect this facility,” Gov. Otti stated.

In their goodwill messages, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and the member representing Isialangwa South State Constituency, Mr Roland Ceaser while thanking Governor Otti for prioritising healthcare services in the State, equally appreciated him for granting them the Labour Party tickets to run for 2027 elections.

They noted that Governor Otti has changed the narratives in all sectors of the State economy, urging the people to own the facility and protect it from vandals.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, explained that the Isiala Ngwa General Hospital is among the hospitals approved by the Governor for reconstruction and upgrade to guarantee accessible and quality healthcare delivery across the State.

According to the Commissioner, the hospital will feature modern consulting clinics, surgical units, diagnostic laboratories, radiology services, a state-of-the-art accident and emergency unit, children’s ward, blood bank services, and ambulance support services.

Prof. Uche, who commended Governor Otti for prioritising healthcare infrastructure and improving the welfare of the people through strategic investments in the health sector, also said that the newly renovated, retrofitted and functionalized cottage hospital would serve as a critical referral hub for primary healthcare centres in Isialangwa South and surrounding communities.

He added that it has the best of the equipment needed for the hospital of that level and has solar power to sustain the facility in case of public power outage .

In their speeches, the Anglican Archbishop of Aba Ecclesiastical Province, Rt. Rev. Isaac Nwobia and the traditional Ruler of Okporoahaba autonomous Community, Eze Peter Emeonye described the health intervention of the Governor as second to none, calling for the construction of the Okporoahaba road to improve the living conditions of their people.

Governor Otti had earlier commis

sioned Umuikama – Okpuala Nvosi road and Umunkpeyi – Okpokiri-Umuehim roads all in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.

The ceremony attracted the presence of the members of the National and State Assembly including Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Amobi Ogah, Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, the Chief of Staff to Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, Commissioners, traditional rulers, members of  the clergy and other top government officials.

As his administration approaches its third anniversary in office, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has unveiled a comprehensive account of achievements across critical sectors, declaring that his government has restored security, rebuilt public trust, reduced debt, revived infrastructure, strengthened healthcare and education, and repositioned the state for sustainable economic growth.

Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of Abians, while highlighting major achievements recorded in nearly three years of governance.

Speaking during the May edition of his monthly media engagement with Abians, Governor Otti said his administration has made significant progress in human capital development, infrastructure renewal, fiscal responsibility, social justice, security, education, healthcare, transportation, sanitation, and economic reforms.

“We are happy that this administration, in another week, will clock three years in office, and I think it is appropriate to discuss some of the things that have been achieved,” the Governor said.
According to him, one of the major successes of his government has been the restoration of public confidence in governance through visible development and prudent management of state resources.
“The most important part of this administration is the impact it has made in human capital development, infrastructure renewal, fiscal responsibility, and social justice in restoring the dignity of our people. We are rebuilding trust in governance and government,” Otti stated.

Governor Otti disclosed that his administration has restored relative peace and security across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state through deliberate interventions, particularly the launch of Operation Crush.
He cited Umunneochi LGA, once plagued by banditry and criminal activities, as a success story, noting that traditional leaders from the area recently paid him a thank-you visit following the liberation of affected communities.
“The LGA was previously under the control of bandits, but when we came in, barely a month or two later, we launched Operation Crush and liberated all those communities,” he said.

The Governor said his administration has ensured regular salary payments to workers, maintaining payment by the 28th of every month, while pensioners are also receiving their entitlements consistently.
He further disclosed that Abia’s debt burden has reduced by 60 percent, attributing the achievement to prudent financial management and fiscal discipline.

Otti also revealed that his government has recovered several illegally acquired government lands and properties, warning that criminal appropriation of public assets would no longer be tolerated.

On infrastructure, Governor Otti announced that his administration has completed 414 road projects spanning approximately 864.12 kilometres within three years, while 82 additional roads covering about 212 kilometres are currently under construction.
He noted that road projects are complemented with street lighting and drainage systems, while a zero-pothole and maintenance policy has been introduced to preserve infrastructure.

Several completed projects, he added, would be commissioned beginning next week as part of activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.

In healthcare, the Governor disclosed that the state has recruited 821 healthcare professionals, with 771 already resumed, while others remain at different stages of recruitment.
He stated that 277 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) have been retrofitted across the 184 wards of the state, with over 180 already fully functionalized.
Otti also highlighted ongoing upgrades in secondary healthcare facilities at Ohafia, Arochukwu, and Umunneato, while the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Amachara, is undergoing reconstruction.

Additionally, he announced the completion of General Hospitals in Obingwa and Arochukwu, which will be commissioned during the anniversary celebrations.

Governor Otti revealed that public school enrolment has increased significantly, with over 300,000 new students enrolled, attributing the rise to reforms in the education sector.
He said 5,394 teachers recruited by the state resumed work last year, while another 4,000 teachers are currently being recruited.
To improve school infrastructure, Otti stated that renovated schools are now being fenced, while dilapidated structures across the state are being addressed to ensure schools meet minimum standards.
He further disclosed that two smart schools are ready for commissioning, while three additional smart schools will be completed by June.

The Governor also highlighted progress in tertiary institutions, including Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Abia State University (ABSU), and the College of Education, Arochukwu, noting that accreditations have been restored and new faculties are under construction.

In the area of lands and public buildings, Governor Otti said the state has issued 4,077 Certificates of Occupancy, completed the New Abia Master Plan, and digitized over four million land-related documents to curb fraud and enhance transparency.

On sanitation, he noted that following the declaration of a state of emergency on sanitation, Abia has become one of the cleanest states in Nigeria.
According to him, over 13 tonnes of waste are evacuated weekly, while more than 2,000 jobs have been created through the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).

Governor Otti,however, disclosed that the state’s transport initiative has conveyed over 326,000 passengers, while 20 new buses are expected by July and another 30 buses before year-end.
He announced that the Umuahia Multimodal Transport Terminal has been completed and would be commissioned on May 27, while the Aba terminal is expected to be completed next year.

To support transportation sustainability, the Governor said the government is installing solar hybrid charging systems for buses and has delivered 70 bus shelters across Umuahia and Aba.

In the power sector, Otti said the state has acquired electricity distribution assets covering Umuahia, Bende, Ohafia, Ikwuano, and Umunneochi, while over 50 transformers and 10,000 solar lights have been procured under the Light Up Abia programme.
He added that the Abia State Electricity Agency has been established to drive reforms aimed at guaranteeing stable electricity supply.

Governor Otti revealed that the government is in the final stages of selling the Abia Beverages Company, acquired from AMCON, while discussions are ongoing regarding the sale of the Star Paper Mill, with the state retaining 10 percent equity in the beverages company.
He also announced plans to establish an SME and Innovation Hub in Aba in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to him, TechRise Cohort 3 is currently training about 850 persons in digital and innovation skills to foster entrepreneurship and employment.
The Governor further disclosed plans to ensure statewide 3G network coverage, emphasizing that his administration remains committed to improving living conditions and creating opportunities for all Abians.
“This government remains focused and determined to improve the welfare of our people, develop the state, create jobs, and make life easier for all Abians,” Governor Otti assured.