Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti has flagged off the construction of the 11.27 kilometers Mbala – Umuaku – Ngodo Road in Umunneochi local government Abia state.
Flagging- off the road project, on Wednesday evening, the Governor said that Umunneochi LGA occupies a unique place in the geography and socio-economic evolution of Abia State in particular and the Southeast region in general and assured that the project is the beginning of what is to come.
Governor Otti also announced that the Leru – Lekwesi – Lokpanta – Lokpaukwu road, which the people had requested him to fix, has already been earmarked for reconstruction by his administration.
He directed the Commissioner for Works to go and inspect the Nmang Bridge in the area, and they requested that it be fixed and bring him a report to enable him to make plans to fix it.
The State Chief Executive announced that he would soon establish a multi-billion Naira agro-processing facility in Umunneochi LGA.
“I’m glad to inform this August gathering that Umunneochi has been selected as one of the three locations where the government will site a multi-billion Naira agro-industrial processing facility, and this will happen very shortly.
“Structured to radically transform the agricultural ecosystems in the State, the facility shall integrate productions, aggregation, and processing of agro commodities for local consumption and export.
The Governor thanked the people for their support of his administration and said that the success in the restoration of security in Umunneochi points to oneness among leaders.
“May I seize this opportunity to thank you for your steadfast commitment to our cause and for consistently supporting the vision of a new Abia where no part of the State is abandoned to criminal elements?
“Our success in the restoration of security in this part points to what is possible when we work in unity as leaders to solve the social and economic problems facing our communities.
“We may belong to different political linings and groups, but the welfare of the good people of Umunneochi must never be sacrificed on the altar of petty partisan politics, Gov. Otti stated.
Also speaking, the member representing Isuikwuato /Umunneochi Federal Constituency Chief Amobi Ogah, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha
while describing the project as a unifying factor for the entire Umunneochi people, thanked Governor Otti for coming to the rescue of the Umunneochi people.
They thanked the Governor for what he is doing in the State and appealed to him to assist in fixing the Nmang Bridge in Umunneochi LGA.
In their remarks, the member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Chief Mathias Umeh, and the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, noted that the Mbala -Umuaku – Ngodo road is strategic to the economy of Abia State and other south East State, thanked the Governor for his infrastructural revolution across the State.
Earlier, in an address, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Otti noted that the area harbors agrarian communities and produces different types of agricultural products in commercial quantities, such as cashew, cassava, yams, and black beans, and said that the road construction would open up the communities for greater economic opportunities.
He said that the road, when completed, would bring about growth in agribusiness in the area, provide direct and indirect employment for both skilled and unskilled manpower, and would, by extension, positively impact the State’s Internally Generated Revenue.
While also noting that the project has a contract period of 12 months, the works Commissioner said that provision had been made for culverts and drains with street lights in built-up areas and expressed optimism that the contractor will deliver in accordance with set standards.
