Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, During the Formal Commissioning of Umuocham and Umule Roads in Aba on Friday, December 13, 2024
Protocols,
1. Let me warmly welcome you to the commissioning and reopening for public use, Umule and Umuocham Roads, two significant projects that are important to the daily routines and businesses of thousands of residents along this corridor. Let me thank the residents and commuters for accommodating the necessary inconveniences that come with civil engineering projects. The great thing is that your patience has paid off and your roads are now fixed so you can pursue your day-to-day activities safely and with ease.
2. Last week at Obiora Street while commissioning the completed road project there, I made it clear that every stretch of road in the State is very important to us. I also announced that we shall continue to commit resources to give road users pleasant experience each time they step out of their homes. Today’s event is in continuation of the promise we made to you that no stone will be left unturned as we work to rebuild our State and banish the ugly memories of the past. In every road project we undertake, we leave a signature of excellence to highlight the difference between today’s reality and the failures of the past. As you may have noted, solar-powered streetlights, standard markings and drainage channels where necessary, are often present in our projects because we want you to be able to use the roads safely at any time of the day or night.
3. The commitment to improving the stock of public infrastructure in Aba is in keeping with our strong faith in the huge potential of this great City. We are not just creating windfalls for landlords who have seen property prices soar in the last 18 months. The administration is also opening multiple windows for investors to come into the City and create jobs for our teeming youth population. On the strength of what we have achieved since we assumed office, the City’s profile as an investment destination has hit the rooftops and we are just getting started.
4. It is remarkable that we have been able to deliver many of these projects through the expertise and dedication of our people at the State Ministry of Works. The quality of these jobs speaks to untapped potential in our civil service which sadly was allowed to lie dormant for years. I am glad that we have been able to put them to great use in a state-wide infrastructure restoration and expansion initiative and they have acquitted themselves quite admirably. The lesson here is that we must be willing to challenge ourselves, seek ways of improving on our previous outcomes and believe that we are as good as the best there is.
5. To the residents of Umule and Umuocham, a new day has arrived. Never again will you sweep through multiple bad patches, dust and mud to get to your homes. It is now up to you to reciprocate this gesture by paying your taxes and other statutory fees as and when due. This Government as you know is very prudent in the management of public resources so whatever you pay will be applied strictly to the execution of projects that will socially impact your community and loved ones living in other parts of the State.
6. We made a promise that this City will see great turnaround under our watch and we have hit the ground running within the limits of available resources to honour that commitment. There is so much to be done and we shall continue to expand our project footprints regularly. As you may be aware, we submitted the 2025 budget proposal to the House of Assembly on Tuesday. In the draft submitted, we strategically earmarked tens of billions of naira for road infrastructure in the coming financial year. There is therefore every reason to be optimistic as this wind of progress shall get to every community, clan and street.
7. The great thing about our proposal for 2025 is that we have included a wide array of projects that will add to the appeal of Aba as a favourite urban destination for enterprise, leisure and family life. The New Year promises great transformation for everyone but we have to be prepared to support the vision of the administration in the areas of security and urban waste management. Report any suspicious movement or conversations to the security agencies promptly and join the on-going campaign against indiscriminate disposal of refuse. A great society is built by the deliberate and consistent efforts of every stakeholder. We are therefore invited to become part of history by supporting the development programme of the Government for our great Aba.
8. Thank you for listening and may God bless you all.
Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,
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