Otti promises people-oriented policies, responsible management of public resources

The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has assured residents that his administration would continue to pursue people-oriented policies and ensure the responsible management of public resources to sustain steady growth and long-term prosperity.

Otti gave the assurance as part of efforts to consolidate on the gains recorded in the last three years of his administration.

The governor gave the assurance on Friday at the grand finale of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration in Umuahia.

He stated that he remained committed to delivering sustainable development and improving the welfare of the people.

Otti, while noting that his administration had maintained fiscal discipline, said his government had also reduced the state’s debt profile by over 70 per cent through prudent financial management and accountability.

He disclosed that the state had completed 414 road projects covering over 800 kilometres in the past three years, while another 82 roads stretching over 200 kilometres would soon be completed and commissioned.

He listed some of the landmark projects completed by his administration to include Port Harcourt Road, Aba; the six-lane Ossah Road; the historic Omenuko Bridge; and the final section of the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road.

On healthcare, he said projects at the Abia State Teaching Hospital and Amachara General Hospital “shall be completed to further expand the tertiary care space. In the new Abia, the first measure of wealth is the health of the people. It is for this reason that we are pulling out all the stops to set standards that align with our vision for the state.”

Otti also said his administration would continue to give priority attention to all sectors of the economy and highlighted achievements in the healthcare sector, revealing that “close to 1,000 healthcare professionals have been recruited and deployed to health facilities across the state.”

The governor further disclosed that his administration had invested heavily in education and youth empowerment through technology-driven initiatives focused on software engineering, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity training, adding that over N300m had been earmarked to support technology-based enterprises and innovation across the state.

On workers’ welfare, Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to the prompt payment of salaries and pensions, noting that sustained collaboration with security agencies had improved the safety of lives and property across the state.

He also assured residents that his administration would continue to strengthen government institutions, improve public services and expand economic opportunities.

In his goodwill message on behalf of Abia National Assembly members, the lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Ginger Onwusibe, said Otti had “surpassed expectations in delivering campaign promises through extensive road construction and reconstruction, education, healthcare and other development projects across the state,” while assuring the governor of the lawmakers’ full support for his future ambitions.

Also speaking, an elder statesman, Sam Ohuabunwa, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chris Uche, commended Otti for his visionary leadership, adding that the achievements of his administration across critical sectors within three years had restored dignity and renewed the confidence of Abians at home and in the diaspora.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribole, and the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, said Abia State was witnessing a historic rebirth under Otti’s administration, adding that the people of the state rejected politics of excuses and chose competence, accountability and visionary leadership in 2023.