…Federal-State Partnership Driving Infrastructure Revolution, Economic Growth in Abia — Sunday Dare

A high-powered Presidential Media Team under the Renewed Hope National Media Tour Initiative has commended the transformative impact of key Federal Government projects in Abia State, describing them as critical interventions that are enhancing infrastructure, connectivity, housing, transportation, and economic growth across the South-East region.

The team, which visited ongoing and completed projects executed through the collaboration between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government, noted that the projects are not only benefiting Abia residents but are also serving millions of Nigerians across neighbouring states.

The Presidency has therefore commended the remarkable transformation taking place in Abia State under the administration of Governor Alex Otti. They describe the state’s numerous development as a shining example of how collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments can accelerate national development and improve the lives of citizens.

This commendation came at the conclusion of the two-day Renewed Hope National Media Tour undertaken by a high-powered Presidential Media Team led by the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare.
The media tour, which took journalists and government officials across strategic federal and state-owned projects in Abia, showcased the impact of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the growing partnership between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government in delivering critical infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
At the heart of the tour was the rehabilitation of the Abia Tower–Aba section of the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway, one of Nigeria’s most strategic interstate highways funded through the Federal Government’s Sukuk programme.
The road serves as a vital economic corridor linking Abia, Imo, Rivers, Ebonyi and Enugu States, facilitating the movement of goods, services and millions of commuters across the South-East and South-South regions.
Speaking during the inspection, the Federal Controller of Works in Abia State, Engr. Chidi Uwaeziozi, described the project as a critical economic lifeline for businesses, farmers, transport operators and investors.
According to him, the road features modern engineering specifications, including an extensive service lane designed to withstand heavy commercial traffic and the unique environmental challenges associated with Aba’s terrain.
He noted that the expressway forms part of a broader 56.1-kilometre federal road network incorporating multiple carriageways aimed at enhancing safety, reducing travel time and boosting economic activities.

Speaking during the tour, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, stated that the selection of Abia as one of the pilot states for the Renewed Hope Media Tour reflects the cordial and productive relationship existing between the Federal Government and Governor Alex Otti’s administration.

According to him, the growing partnership has continued to attract critical development projects to the state, including the airport project, the Renewed Hope Housing Estates, and other interventions spread across the 17 local government areas.

Prince Kanu emphasized that the administration of Governor Alex Otti remains committed to strengthening partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to the people, accelerate infrastructure development, stimulate economic growth, and improve living standards across the state.

The Presidential Team also inspected the ongoing Abia International Airport Project at Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, a landmark initiative jointly executed by the Federal Government and the Abia State Government.
The airport, initially conceived as a cargo facility, was upgraded to an international airport to position Abia as a major aviation, logistics and investment hub in the South-East.
Addressing journalists at the project site, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, disclosed that the airport occupies over 1,025 hectares of land acquired by the state on behalf of the Federal Government.
He explained that while the Abia State Government is responsible for constructing the runway, the Federal Government is undertaking the construction of the terminal building.
The Commissioner further revealed that compensation for landowners within the runway corridor has been fully paid, while compensation processes for other affected areas are nearing completion.
The Airport Coordinator and Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing, Pastor Okorougo Aji, expressed confidence that the project would be completed within the projected timeline, noting that significant progress has already been recorded with extensive earthworks, runway clearing, cutting, filling and compaction activities currently ongoing.
Another major federal intervention showcased during the tour was the Renewed Hope Housing Estate Project being executed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
The two seperate housing schemes in Umuahia and Onuinya Bende, comprise 200 housing units each. The FHA Umuahia project is on 100 hectares of land provided by the Abia State Government and also forms part of President Tinubu’s nationwide strategy to address Nigeria’s housing deficit and expand access to affordable housing.

The project is expected to generate employment opportunities, stimulate local businesses, improve housing access and enhance the quality of life of residents.
Speaking during the tour, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, noted that the selection of Abia as one of the pilot states for the Renewed Hope National Media Tour was a testament to the cordial and productive relationship existing between President Tinubu’s administration and Governor Alex Otti’s government.
According to him, the partnership has continued to attract critical federal interventions into the state while complementing the administration’s aggressive infrastructure renewal programme.
Beyond the federal projects, the Presidential Media Team witnessed a series of transformative state-funded projects that have reshaped the infrastructure landscape of Abia State.

Among them is the 67-kilometre Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba–Ohafia Road, a major arterial highway entirely reconstructed by the Abia State Government after decades of neglect.
The road now provides seamless connectivity between communities in Abia Central and Abia North Senatorial Zones, opening up agrarian communities, facilitating trade and enhancing access to social services.
The team also inspected the newly reconstructed four-lane Tower–Onuimo Road, now named Dr. Uma Ukpai Road, the iconic Omenuko Bridge, the Ozuabam–Ndiokereke–Amuvi Road in Arochukwu, and the state-of-the-art Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.

The Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal is designed as a modern transportation hub integrating different modes of transportation and improving passenger convenience and safety.
The Presidential delegation equally visited the ongoing power restoration project in Ohafia, where the Abia State Government has completed a 20-kilometre 33KV power line from Ihechiowa to Ebem, terminating at a newly installed 7.5MVA injection substation.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, disclosed that the project is aimed at restoring electricity to communities that have remained in darkness for over eight years due to vandalism and infrastructure collapse.

He further revealed that the government is in the final stages of acquiring a majority stake in the Abia operations of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), a move expected to significantly improve electricity supply across the state.
Speaking at the conclusion of the tour, Mr. Sunday Dare described the scale of transformation in Abia as impressive and inspiring.
“It is really impressive to see that a state like Abia is experiencing this level of transformation. From roads to transportation, housing, electrification and other critical infrastructure, Governor Alex Otti is addressing the fundamentals of development.

“The collaboration between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government is commendable. Governance is about partnership, not political differences. When leaders focus on development instead of politics, the people benefit,” Dare stated.
He noted that the partnership between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti demonstrates that sustainable development can be achieved when governments at different levels work together in the interest of the people.
Observers on the tour noted that the combination of strategic federal interventions and ambitious state-led projects is rapidly positioning Abia as one of Nigeria’s emerging destinations for investment, commerce, industrialisation and sustainable development.
As the Renewed Hope National Media Tour concluded, stakeholders expressed optimism that the strengthened partnership between the Presidency and the Abia State Government would continue to deliver transformative projects capable of unlocking the state’s vast economic potential and improving the welfare of its people.

From roads and housing to transportation, aviation and power infrastructure, the message from the Presidency was clear: Abia is witnessing a development renaissance driven by purposeful leadership, strategic collaboration and a shared commitment to progress.

Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed his readiness to partner with the members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the development of the State.

Governor Otti stated this in Government House Umuahia, while receiving in audience, a delegation of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, led by its President and Chairman of the Council, ESV. Chief Victor Adekunle Alonge, who were in the State for their 2026 annual conference taking place at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube layout, Umuahia.

Gov. Otti said that his government considers itself as partners to institutions that share similar visions with it.

“We consider ourselves partners to institutions and people who have the same vision and who share our aspiration for a better place for our people.

“We have worked closely with members of this institution in Abia State and I think we will even redouble that effort.

“There are a lot of things we are doing in the real estate side that will require your involvement and that of your members.

“I think this offers us an opportunity to close ranks and work closer with each other,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti thanked the institution for its choice to hold this year’s conference and annual general meeting of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers for the first time in Abia State.

The Governor assured that members of his cabinet would be on hand to support the association.

“I would instruct my commissioners who are here to work very closely with you.

“I want to also say that our people are on hand to give you all the necessary support that you require,” Gov. Otti assured.

Governor Otti, who used the opportunity to reiterate his commitment to establishing a 5-Star Hotel in Umuahia to provide more comfortable accommodation to visitors and associations that choose Abia for conferences wished the the members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers fruitful deliberations in their annual conference taking place in Umuahia.

Earlier in his speech, the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Dr Victor Alonge disclosed that they are in the State for the 2026 annual conference of the institution holding in Umuahia with the theme “Corridors, Connectivity and Capital; Rethinking Real Estate Development Along Renewed Hope Infrastructure Investments”, between Monday 13th to Saturday 18th April, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

He revealed that this is the first time Abia is hosting the annual conference and expressed delight that it’s happening under Governor Otti.

Chief Alonge who said that Abia is noted for its huge contributions to the development of the Institution, thanked Governor Otti for the financial and logistics support to the institution in the State and for the good working relationship between members of the institution and the State government.

“I also would like to appreciate Your Excellency for the good working relationship between the members of our profession in Abia State and the State government.

“We would continue to offer the State our professional services in the best global practices, upholding our well articulated and documented code of professional ethics,” Chief Alonge stated.

He said that their members have progressively impacted the State in the areas of policy formulation, Land Administration, Asset Management and Administration, Housing and Project development in general.

He further stated that the Governor’s transformation drives and sound policies have opened up the State to local and foreign investments which he noted has significantly strengthened the economy of the State.

The Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Commissioners for Housing, Land & Survey as well Agriculture, DG GODA and UCDA among other top government officials were present at the visit.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partnering with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to drive sustainable development in the state’s real estate sector.

The Governor made this known on Tuesday, April 14, at the Government House, Umuahia, while hosting a delegation of the institution led by its President and Chairman of Council, Victor Adekunle Alonge. The delegation was in Abia for the institution’s 2026 Annual Conference held at the International Conference Centre, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

Governor Otti emphasized that his government aligns itself with institutions and individuals who share a common vision for progress and improved living standards. He noted that the administration has already maintained a productive relationship with NIESV members in the state and is poised to strengthen that collaboration.

According to him, ongoing and planned developments in the real estate sector would require deeper professional engagement, describing the visit as an opportunity to consolidate partnerships and enhance cooperation.

The Governor expressed appreciation to the institution for selecting Abia as host of its conference and Annual General Meeting for the first time, assuring that members of his cabinet would provide the necessary support to ensure a successful event.

He further reiterated plans by his administration to establish a five-star hotel in Umuahia, aimed at boosting hospitality infrastructure and providing quality accommodation for visitors and conference participants.

Earlier, NIESV President, Chief Alonge, disclosed that the 2026 conference, themed “Corridors, Connectivity and Capital: Rethinking Real Estate Development Along Renewed Hope Infrastructure Investments,” was scheduled to hold from April 13 to April 18 in Umuahia.

He described the hosting of the conference in Abia as historic and commended Governor Otti for his support and the cordial working relationship between the state government and estate professionals.

Alonge assured that members of the institution would continue to offer professional services in line with global best practices, highlighting their contributions to policy formulation, land administration, asset management, housing, and overall project development in the state.

He also noted that the Governor’s reform-driven policies and development initiatives have enhanced Abia’s attractiveness to both local and foreign investors, thereby strengthening the state’s economy.

The visit was attended by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, Commissioners for Housing, Lands and Survey, Agriculture, as well as heads of key development agencies and other senior government officials.