By Nnamdi Ojiego

Governor Alex Otti’s administration in Abia State is introducing a new dynamic to leadership while laying a solid foundation to recover the state from the mess it was plunged into in the past 24 years. 

The task to rescue Abia, specifically, Aba, from its stinky, decrepit and ignominious past commenced on May 29, 2023, when Otti entered into a new social contract with the Abia people and pledged to use every attribute that God has given him to serve them. 

“I promise to be a great conductor, but every member of this orchestra must play his or her instrument and must do so in harmony. Our social contract with the good people of Abia State is that ours shall not be a government of excuses and finger-pointing”, Otti had assured.

No magic wand

The former banker hinged his ‘Weep No More, Help Is On The Way’ campaign on a five-point agenda, which included economic and social transformation, public service reforms, and internal security. The governor who had worked tirelessly to ensure the ‘dynasty of incompetence’ in Abia ended, said he was prepared to tackle head-on the deplorable and dilapidated infrastructure including roads, schools, and health systems.

“There is no magic wand that can fix all the rot and decay noticed in virtually all segments of the system since the past years,” he said. “For us to have sustainable development, it would require a very painstaking and elaborate layout of master plans to enable us to tackle the menace of flooding and re-engineer our cities especially Aba, Umuahia and other cities that would be developed to support our urban renewal projects.”

Delivering results

Otti had in his inaugural address declared a state of emergency on the clearing of heaps of waste that littered the streets of Umuahia, the state capital and Aba, the commercial city. To achieve this, the governor immediately set up a Taskforce for the emergency cleanup of both cities.

The Taskforce had made a lot of progress in evacuating tons of refuse that had hitherto taken over many streets in the state. While men sleep, the task force team headed by Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, were working. The two cities are today cleaner and more conducive for people. 

With robust support from the government, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, a hitherto moribund agency returned to life.

Building partnership

The new administration is partnering with relevant agencies, organisations and businesses in realizing its vision and mission of rebuilding the state.

The governor has interfaced with the heads of various security agencies in the state; World Bank Country Director, Professor Shubham Chaudhuri and his team; Nigeria Medical Association led by the state chairman, Dr. Isaiah Abali; a team of senior management staff of MTN, led by the Chief Enterprise e-Business, Lynda Saint Nwafor; executive of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners; Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, and Association of Abia State Traditional Rulers.

On security challenges facing some parts of the state, especially the prolonged cases of kidnapping at Lokponta in Umunneochi LGA, the government has put measures in place to ensure that criminals are flushed out. The state is collaborating with security agencies internally to adopt a more robust approach that would help nip the activities of criminals in the bud. 

In meeting with traditional rulers, the governor stressed the vital role they could play in the battle against crime. He implored them to actively assist the government’s security efforts.

The state chief executive has also met with the National Assembly lawmakers from the state. The meeting was aimed at consolidating what could be described as a bipartisan relationship. All three Senators and eight House of Representatives members were in attendance and pledged their cooperation and support to the government to build a united and progressive state

Fulfilling promises

In fulfilment of his electoral promise to fix dilapidated roads and create more access routes to ease traffic, Gov. Otti has started attacking Aba roads with the seriousness it deserves and without making noise about it. He has hit the ground running and has engaged reputable construction companies, such as Craneburg, FCC, and MCC to handle the road projects. So far, work has commenced on over ten roads across the state including the abandoned Umuimo Road linking the Teaching Hospital Road; Owerri Road, and College Road, among others.

Meanwhile, it is expected that the master of road construction, Julius Berger will soon begin work on the ever-difficult Port Harcourt Road and other major roads in the state.

Human face

Being a government with a human face, Otti did not wait for the conclusion of a verification exercise he authorised before he could pay pensioners. The governor reasoned that waiting for the conclusion of the exercise before the commencement of payment could be harmful to the pensioners as many of them are facing severe economic and health challenges that require some funds to take care of, hence his directive that, not minding the losses that might be incurred by the government, the pensioners should be paid immediately while the verification exercise continues.

State of Emergency

Otti knows that the present and future of Abia depend on the quality and scope of education we provide for our children. In view of this, the governor has declared a state of emergency in education. Seventeen schools across the 17 LGAs of the state have been marked for reconstruction and renovation.

“We will intentionally prepare our children to be skilled participants in the global village, where science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are used as productive tools for work and play”, he assured.

Digital system

In line with his campaign promise to sanitize methods of revenue collection and stop all kinds of extortion, intimidation and harassment of motorists, the governor introduced a revolutionary digital tax system that is designed to curb fraud and augment revenue. This system incorporates a free medical insurance scheme for all commercial vehicle operators, enabling the government to fuel entrepreneurial growth and progress within the state.

The digital platform will simplify tax compliance and unlock substantial revenue for development projects, thereby strengthening the state’s economy. It offers easy payment options for both transporters and traders, and promotes transparency.

TSA

Furthermore, the government has concluded plans to transition to a Treasury Single Account, TSA, system by September 1, 2023. This move will centralize all state revenue and payments, enhancing transparency and efficiency. This system will fight fraud, streamline tax payments, empower our citizens, generate employment and attract investors.

Serial performer

Otti’s performance in a very short time is not surprising considering where he was coming from. At the University of Port Harcourt where he studied Economics, he bagged a First Class Honours, finishing as the overall best-graduating student of the institution in 1988. Many believe that he’s only replicating his outstanding performance in the banking industry in Abia.

Abians are happy with the governor’s work rate. However, they are hoping that the story will not be like that of his predecessors who promised so much but delivered very little.