Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on residents to protect government infrastructure and prevent vandalism of public assets provided by his administration.
Speaking at Ibeku High School field during the commissioning of completed projects across three local government areas in Abia Central Senatorial Zone, Governor Otti emphasized the role of citizens in ensuring the longevity of public facilities.
“Ensure that everything we are putting in place—the infrastructure, the roads, the equipment in those primary healthcare centres—is secured. There is no better security than the one you provide,” the Governor said. “Any time anyone attempts to vandalize public property, report them to the authorities. We will take decisive action.”
The commissioned projects include the retrofitting of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) at Owerinta in Isialangwa South, Amibo in Umuahia South, and Ekeoba in Umuahia North under the state’s Project Ekwueme. Road projects include the completion of the 8.3-kilometre Isieketa–Obikabia Road in Isialangwa South and a 1.5-kilometre stretch of IBB Way in Umuahia North.
Governor Otti also directed the immediate reconstruction of the deteriorating Ikot-Ekpene Road, which connects to the newly completed IBB Way. While acknowledging it is a federal road, the Governor maintained that roads serve the people, not the government.
“We know it’s a federal road, but like we always say, the Federal Government doesn’t use roads—our people do. So we are going to fix it,” he stated.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to continuous commissioning of infrastructure, including roads and 200 Primary Healthcare Centres either completed or nearing completion across the state.
Commissioners for Health and Works, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche and Engineer Otumchere Oti, commended the Governor’s dedication to delivering world-class healthcare facilities and improved road networks. They urged local communities to take ownership of the projects and protect them.
Also speaking, Dr. Kingsley Nwaigburu, General Manager of the Abia State Debt Management Office and Coordinator of Project Ekwueme in Abia Central, revealed that 64 PHCs were retrofitted in the zone alone. He stressed the projects are tangible and transformative, ensuring every ward has access to functional healthcare services.
On behalf of the benefiting communities, the traditional ruler of Ekeoba Kingdom, Eze Ambassador Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna, described the healthcare upgrades as a new era for the state. He praised Governor Otti for taking bold steps that past administrations had overlooked, particularly in his community.
The event, which featured cultural performances and special presentations to the Governor, was attended by dignitaries, including the Chinese Consul-General and his delegation.
Nzubechukwu Eze
