Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared that his administration has cut the state’s debt by over 60 percent, completed 414 roads, and restored the pride of Abians three years after taking office.
The Governor made the declaration during his monthly media chat in Umuahia, where he presented a detailed scorecard of his administration’s performance across infrastructure, finance, and public welfare.
Speaking during the interactive session tagged “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” the Governor revealed that his administration has completed 414 road projects stretching over 864 kilometres across the state.
He added that 82 additional roads, covering roughly 212 kilometres, are currently being built, complete with drainage systems and solar-powered street lights.
To ensure the new roads last, Otti said the state has adopted a “zero-pothole policy” and is using direct labour for routine maintenance—a departure from the expensive, often corrupt contract system of the past.
“What roads do for any economy is simple: they cut transport costs, boost trade, and create jobs. We didn’t need to overcomplicate it,” Otti said.
But perhaps the most striking number from his anniversary address was on debt. The Governor, a former bank executive, announced that Abia’s debt profile has been slashed by over 60 percent since he took over. He credited this to strict fiscal responsibility and transparency, which has earned the state a 4th-place ranking nationally for fiscal discipline.
Otti also confirmed that his government has recovered several government assets illegally acquired by officials in previous administrations. Going further, he said the acquisition of government property by private individuals has now been criminalized.
On the human side, the Governor noted that civil servants no longer face the uncertainty of delayed wages. Salaries, he said, are now paid on or before the 28th of every month.
The transformation story extends to sanitation. Otti recalled declaring a state of emergency on waste management upon assuming office. Three years later, he said Abia has moved from being “one of the dirtiest” to “one of the cleanest” states in Nigeria. The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has reportedly created over 2,000 jobs in the process.
In transportation, the numbers are equally compelling. A public transport initiative launched in 2025 has moved over 326,000 passengers so far. The Umuahia Transport Terminal is set for commissioning on May 27, while the Aba terminal is expected next year. Otti also announced that 20 new buses will arrive by July, with another 30 before year-end. Seventy bus shelters have already been installed across Umuahia and Aba, and the government is rolling out solar hybrid charging systems for the bus fleet.
Reflecting on the broader mission, Otti said his administration has focused on four pillars: human capital development, infrastructure renewal, fiscal responsibility, and social justice.
“The most important part of this administration is the impact it has made in restoring the dignity of our people,” the Governor said. “Without any fear of contradiction, we can say that we have restored the pride of our people, both home and abroad. And it is not our certainty—it is your trust in us that helped us collectively do it.”
He thanked Abians for their confidence and promised that the reforms and projects would continue at pace, with the goal of accelerating development and improving daily life across the state.
Discussion about this post