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.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia State Command, has announced a decline in Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) and fatalities in 2025 compared to the 2024 figures, attributing the feat to concerted efforts by the Corps, the State Government, security agencies, and other key stakeholders.

Sector Commander of the Abia State FRSC, Ngozi Ezeoma, made this known in Umuahia during a town hall meeting of stakeholders for the 2025 Ember Months campaign, themed around collective responsibility and sustained safety awareness.

Ezeoma disclosed that the reduction was achieved through continuous sensitization, education, and enforcement of road traffic regulations across key corridors in the state.

“The numbers recorded so far are sobering and underscore the urgent need for sustained intervention and shared commitment,” she said, noting that the FRSC’s 2025 Corporate Strategic Goal No. 1 is to achieve a 10% reduction in road traffic fatalities and injuries through focused interventions.

She further revealed that the Ember Months public enlightenment campaign will be launched in motor parks, churches, mosques, and marketplaces, utilizing indigenous languages and repetitive messaging for greater impact.

According to her, mobile courts will be deployed to swiftly prosecute traffic offenders, while driver re-certification and pre-trip vehicle inspections will be conducted in partnership with transport unions and other stakeholders.

Ezeoma urged motorists and road users to shun over-speeding, overloading, drunk driving, and other dangerous practices that endanger lives, adding that safety on the roads is a shared responsibility.

“Let our collective resolve translate into action on the streets, in our communities, and within our institutions. The success of this meeting depends on what each of us does after today,” she emphasized.

Delivering a lecture during the meeting, the Sector Public Education Officer, J.K. Igbonekwu, dismissed the myth that road accidents during Ember Months are caused by “blood-sucking demons.” He attributed such incidents instead to human recklessness, negligence, and disregard for safety rules.

Also speaking, the Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, cautioned motorists against endangering their lives and those of their passengers as the festive season approaches.

Dr. Ukaegbu, who was a guest at the event, urged all road users to cultivate a culture of safety, responsibility, and awareness, stressing that road safety is a shared duty and not the sole responsibility of government or enforcement agencies.

“Everyone who uses, the road whether a driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or passenger plays a role.

Drivers must obey speed limits, avoid distractions, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Passengers and pedestrians must also encourage safe behavior and obey traffic signals,” he said.

He further advised motorists to carry out regular vehicle checks, avoid impatience on the road, and always wear seatbelts, adding that simple precautions could save countless lives.

“The good news is that promoting road safety doesn’t require superhuman effort — just commitment to simple acts of caution and care,” the Commissioner added.

Dr. Ukaegbu reaffirmed that the State Ministry of Transport would continue to partner with the FRSC in life-saving campaigns and public awareness programmes.

Delivering a goodwill message, Lady Gloria Ify Abiakam, Chairman of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments, commended the FRSC and its leadership for their sustained dedication to saving lives across Nigeria’s highways.

“T his gathering reminds us that road safety is not merely a duty but a shared responsibility — one that calls upon our collective conscience to protect the sanctity of human life,” she said.

Lady Abiakam reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Community to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the FRSC in its mission to ensure that every journey ends in safety, joy, and reunion.

“In times like the Ember Months, when the roads grow busier and risks heighten, may we remember that every life matters, every caution counts, and every act of responsibility saves a family from tears,” she noted.

She praised the FRSC leadership and officers for their tireless service, describing their work as “humanity in action.”

“May this town hall ignite renewed awareness, deeper collaboration, and stronger resolve toward achieving safer roads and fuller lives for all.
Together, we can make our roads not just pathways of travel, but highways of hope,” she concluded.

The event brought together representatives from transport unions, religious organizations, civil society, and the media , all united by a shared commitment to make Abia roads safer, especially during the high-risk Ember Months.

Governor Alex Otti Inaugurates Six Strategic Boards to Drive Reforms and Development in Abia

In a major stride toward accelerating development and deepening sectoral reforms, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has inaugurated six strategic boards comprising seasoned professionals and technocrats to steer critical government establishments across the state.

The newly inaugurated boards include:

Umuahia Capital Development Authority

Greater Aba Development Authority

Abia State Medicine and Commodities Management

Abia State SME Microfinance Bank Ltd

Abia State Homeland Security

Abia State Advisory Council on Electricity

Speaking during the inauguration at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Otti stated that the appointments were made based on competence, merit, and the value the appointees bring to the state, rather than ethnic or regional affiliation.

“Some of the people we inaugurated are not from Abia or even from the South East. Our administration values merit, not tribe. If you live here and have something to offer, we welcome you with open arms,” he declared.

Governor Otti revealed that appointments such as a retired general for Homeland Security, a former NERC Chairman for the Electricity Advisory Council, and a leading pharmacist for the Medicine and Commodities Management Board were deliberate, aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery.

He particularly emphasized the importance of electricity to the state’s industrial aspirations, noting that a deal is nearing conclusion to acquire the Umuahia ring-fenced area of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which will bring reliable power to the eight LGAs not yet served by Geometric Power.

“Electricity is so critical to what we are doing. With the new Electricity Act signed in April, we can now generate, transmit, and distribute power independently. We have no excuses anymore,” the governor asserted.

Governor Otti charged the board members to live up to expectations, especially those in key sectors like urban development, microfinance, and energy, as their performance is critical to the state’s overall transformation agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities and Co-Chair of the Abia State Electricity Advisory Council, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, expressed appreciation to the governor for the confidence reposed in them. He pledged their collective commitment to delivering on the government’s vision.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by top government officials and stakeholders from various sectors.