Otti Unfolds 18-Month Flooding Control Plan in Aba
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In a bid to deal with perennial flooding in the commercial city of Aba, the Abia State Governor, Chief Alex Otti has hinted at plans to deal with the menace.
The Governor gave the hint on Thursday night during a media parley in Umuahia, saying that the project would take 18 months to be delivered in line with a phased design by the government.
He said that his administration “is passionate about fixing Aba” and making the city a major economic hub and a preferred destination for investors in Africa.
Describing the devastating effects of flooding in the commercial city due to its topography and poor sanitary mentality of residents, Governor Otti disclosed that his administration was committed to offering a permanent solution to the menace.
He, however, pleaded with residents to change their attitude of dropping files indiscriminately and inside water drainages as they block the free flow of flood waters.
The Governor who said the Government was making spirited efforts to attract investors to the state, pleaded with residents especially those in Aba, to complement the Government’s efforts by ensuring a clean environment.
Otti who noted the need for more refuse bins in the city, disclosed that arrangements had been made to provide more bins in Aba and Umuahia in the coming weeks.
”Please, don’t throw garbage anyhow. Look for the available refuse bins. We shall provide more bins in the weeks ahead”.
Responding to a question on the poor public power supply and the collapse of many electricity transformers in Umuahia the state capital, the Governor said the State was already in discussion with the Management of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, on how the Government could be directly involved in power distribution in the capital city.
The Governor who said that a similar discussion was also ongoing with the Geometric Power in charge of power distribution in Aba, expressed optimism that the outcome of the negotiations would be fruitful and beneficial.
He, therefore, appealed to residents to be patient with his administration as efforts to address their power and other challenges are being intensified.
Gov. Otti who said his administration was in a hurry to bridge the infrastructural deficit in the state, said 26 new roads were at various stages of completion across the state.
He said his goal was to build durable access roads in the state to open up economic activities and make Abia more attractive to investors.
Although he acknowledged the great works of the engineers of the Ministry of Works in repairing street roads in the state, Otti said he had no intentions of incorporating a construction company for the state.
He said some reputable construction firms would still be engaged to handle some major road projects in the state for more desirable results.
The Governor said the zero-pothole policy of his administration for roads in the cities of Umuahia and Aba, had come to stay.
He said he came on board to change the narrative and deliver good governance on all sectors, declaring that Abia will soon become a model state and reference point for excellence.
