(Continue from part 1, part 2 & part 3)
A kneejerk response to any question on whether Dr Alex Chioma Otti has done well in his three-year governance of Abia State could be likened to what Diogenes, the Greek philosopher told Alexander the Great when he visited him (Diogenes) for an undisclosed demand as the great philosopher was basking in the sun.
Said Diogenes to Alexander the Great, “Move a little to the right, you’re blocking my sun”.
When a reporter pens down the rapid transformational metamorphosis of his state, the exposure could be misconstrued as leaking the booth. But when it becomes strikingly and continuously well meaning and masterfully executed, it becomes compelling and even glaring to chronic cynics.
That is why three years gone, it becomes expedient to look at Abia in retrospect and state things the way they are: say it the way it is without sounding like a member of choir of cheerleaders. In Abia, various sectors are being reoriented. The government calls it retrofitting; and so it continues to be obvious.
One remarkable sector that plays vital roles in the life of the people is the transport sector. In the Aviation sector, the administration of Alex Otti saw this critical sector as a primary catalyst for economic growth, a driver for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and a generator of employment including enhancing tourism and intercontinental trades
When Abia citizens and residents had forgotten anything about the building of an airport in the state following the failure of previous government of Okezie Ikpeazu to set up one, Otti made good the move by cashing in on a Federal Government’s gesture to establish an Airstrip in Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state to give the state and indeed the flying public an airport.
He negotiated a deal with the government at the centre. The deal is: ‘let’s partner with you for the upgrade of the Airport Strip to a full-fledged Airport’. The deal worked. And Abia, in collaboration with the Federal Government began a robust airport in Nsulu. Though there were initial hiccups, however the facts on ground now show that some of the runways in the behemothic stride have been completed while work is ongoing for the completion of the entire project. Almost all the aggrieved landowners have smiled their way to the banks.
Abia is the only state in the Southeast that does not have an airport despite the volume and increase of its flying public mainly drawn from Aba, the commercial nerve of the Southeast geopolitical zone. The nearest step towards having an airport was the epileptic move of constructing one by the immediate past government of Dr Okezie Ikeazu. The dream died with the administration, sinking in its wake N10billion sum reportedly allocated for that purpose.
Otti said he is searching for the money and had asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to recover it. Ikpeazu handlers insist that the money had been expended via the payment of the landowners in the old airport site. Nonetheless, despite the affray, the Abia Airport at Nsulu is sliding on gracefully.
Even as the people are full of expectations and are ready to have a brand new Airport, there is this euphoria in town of the birth of another monumental project – a modern bus system akin to what obtains in the USA, Europe, China, Japan etc. The 340-capacity Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia the capital city that was rolled off the ground recently has given the city an Angelic beauty, an organised system of transportation. Presently, traffic in Umuahia is tranquil while congestion at the notorious Isi-gate axis of Umuahia has returned to normalcy.
People sit and wait for the buses like they do at airports in the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal. The electric buses cruise in at designated timeline while passengers who had bought tickets through the electronic system of ticketing walk in gracefully and sit for the commencement of their journey. The 20 buses in the fleet, according to Otti during a press conference, would be increased to 80. The installed solar-powered digital traffic light system at major intersections in Umuahia and Aba glows and directs traffic ceaselessly thereby consolidating traveling processes.
The system itself helps to reduce traffic congestions and makes junction control of vehicles easy: a new trend in Umuahia and Aba. The good news is that it also improves orderliness, reduces accidents and makes the work of traffic officers none cumbersome. The State Ministry of Transport whose Commissioner, Dr Chibueze Ukaegbu consistently warns against flouting traffic rules has directed the highly disciplined task forces seen in all nooks and crannies of the two cities to always ensure strict compliance.
Under the Green Energy Initiative which the electric bus scheme falls into, Abia commuters pay less to ride in this well organised system, away from the hullabaloo seen before now. Beautifully constructed bus stops which the people call ‘comfort zones’ dote the length and breadth of Umuahia and Aba, each enhancing commuter comfort and safety. The Isi-gate area of Umuahia and J Allen/Bata axis of Aba which hitherto were anarchical are now somehow a haven of peace as touts (Agberos) who before now held sway in these areas, are no more. Commuters sit comfortably at the bus stops in various points waiting for the arrival of the buses.
Even as the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal sits overbearingly in the city of Umuahia, some of the old motor parks built before the Otti’s government in the cities are wearing new looks. The Umuahia Motor Park, popularly called ‘Aba Park’, Okigwe Motor Park all in Umuahia and the Aba Motor Park in Umuahia are still retaining their steam. The hitherto unruly behaviour from the operators of these parks has been curtailed via the introduction of a decent management system in the parks as Otti, on assumption of office banned touting and indent behaviours in public places.
The Azumni-Obeaku Seaport and Inland Waterways Corridor is another high flying economic passageway that would give the state a link to the international community through the sea. This maritime project being envisaged by Otii’s government would boost trade and logistics for the Southeast as the projects entails the dredging of Azumini River connecting the semi urban city to the Atlantic Ocean.
Otti says an accelerating feasibility study for Port has been authorised by his government, adding that it would be executed in partnership with an international firm, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited. According to him, the proposed site is approximately 19 nautical miles from the sea which requires extensive dredging.
Reports have it that the colonial government used this river route as a gateway to transport their cargos to the Atlantic Ocean. Presently, investigations show that Abia government under Alex Otti is seeking approval from the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Blue Economy, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to get it on board.
This is the navigating change in Abia transport sector; a transit turnaround and restructuring in this God’s Own State.
This is the man…this is way!
To be continued…
Uche Nwosu is an Umuahia, Abia State, based Journalist.
A Shell BP Double Award Winner On Environmental Pollution & On Investigative Journalism – Year 2000
