Obasanjo unveils 46.36km reconstructed Abia road, hails Otti
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, inaugurated the 46.3-kilometres Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara-Alayi-Abiriba road reconstructed by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.
Obasanjo described Otti as a performer and an exemplary leader who has affected the lives of his people positively.
Speaking during the ceremony held at Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area, Obasanjo recalled how terrible the road has been, especially the last time he visited Abiriba and described Otti as “a miracle worker”, stating, “You (Otti) are a man of your word, a goal getter, a performer. You are a man who says no to what is bad and yes to what is good. You are an example of a leader”
Obasanjo said, “You (Abia people) said you have had leaders before, but one thing you must know is that good leaders don’t flock and when you get a good leader like you have got in Dr Alex Otti, let us make good use of him.
“This road you are all talking about, I traveled on it to Abiriba. It was hellish, and when I was told that the road you have done will get me from Umuahia to Abiriba in 45 minutes, I said this man called Alex Otti is a miracle worker.”
He commended Otti’s efforts in giving Abia a facelift, adding, “what Gov. Otti is doing is a proof that whatever bad situation witnessed in the country today can become good tomorrow.
“I am a witness to what you are doing and urge you to keep doing what you are doing. If you look hard and wide, you will see that this governor does not lack a good team. Of course, this is proof that whatever situation we are in, that is bad today, can be made good tomorrow. All we need to do is to make sure that at every level we have the right leaders with the right team to work with.
“For me, a political party is just a platform. What matters is the quality of the man, and the quality of Alex Otti is a good quality. Well, when the time comes for elections, my advice to you is don’t change a winning horse”.
Speaking, Otti said the inauguration was a testimony to his resolve to do things differently, noting that the completion of the road project would, among other things, shorten travel time for motorists.
“Today’s commissioning ceremony is an eloquent testimony to our resolve to doing things differently as a government. This administration has zero tolerance for shoddy jobs or the kickback culture that enables them
“By completing this project, we have not just shortened travel time for drivers and commuters coming into Umuahia from communities within Ohafia, Bende, Isuikwuato and Umuahia North.
“We have also cut down risks of accidents, security threats and transport cost for scores of thousands of individuals and families. Anyone living and doing business along this axis can now travel safely from Umuahia and other urban centres within and outside the State at anytime of the day or night unafraid if harassment by criminal elements who took advantage of the bad state of the road in the past to wreck havoc on innocent travelers,” he said.
