The governor of Abia state, Alex Otti, flagged off the construction of a six-lane road expansion project in Ossah on Wednesday. The 3.5-kilometer road will be the first six-lane road in the state and will serve as the main entrance and exit to the capital city of Umuahia.
Otti said that he conceptualized the project to give Umuahia a befitting look as a state capital. He also noted that the road will unlock the economic potentials of the city.
The project faced some initial resistance from owners of structures affected by the road expansion, but Otti said that an agreement had been reached between them and the government for the project to commence. He also said that funds for full compensation of the 130 structures marked for demolition had been provided by his administration and that payment had already commenced.
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Otti appealed for the cooperation of the people with the contractor and said that he intends to transform Abia into an enviable state for the good of all.
The commissioner for works, Otumchere Otti, said that the six-lane road project will have drainage on both sides and a side walk, and that it will be built with the best of materials to stand the test of time.
The traditional ruler of Mgbaja Ossah Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Chiabuotu Emelike, expressed delight over the proposed road expansion project. He said it would bring development to the capital city, hence their support for the proposal. He also said that the community was at the verge of conducting the customary rites for the relocation of the graves of the ancestors in the affected compounds, and begged the governor for a little time to enable all property owners to relocate before commencement of demolition.
His Ukabiri Umuchime Amanso Community counterpart, HRH Eze Iheanyichukwu Ezeigbo, commended the governor for the project, and pledged the support of his subjects. He said that his subjects never opposed the project but only demanded compensation, while expressing delight that payment of compensation has commenced.
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Bishop Sunday Onuoha commended Otti for his courage to embark on the laudable project which he said would give Umuahia a befitting look. He also said that the sacrifices of Abians in ushering in a new government had started paying off, adding that Abia will witness rapid transformation under the LP- led Otti administration.