Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting approval to the state government to take over and reconstruct a critical 25-kilometre section of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Federal Road.
Speaking during the official flag-off ceremony of the project in Umuahia on Thursday, October 23, 2025, Governor Otti described the presidential approval as a landmark gesture that underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure renewal and regional development.
The governor noted that the approval followed months of engagement between the state and the Federal Ministry of Works, adding that the decision will ease the suffering of motorists and boost economic activities along the busy corridor.
“We are deeply grateful to President Tinubu for this pragmatic decision. The welfare of our people should come before jurisdictional arguments about who owns a road. What matters is that our citizens can travel safely and do business without hardship,” Otti stated.
He also took a swipe at political opponents whom he accused of trying to frustrate the state’s request for the road’s takeover, saying their efforts had failed because “the truth and the people’s interest have prevailed.”
The Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, which links Abia and Akwa Ibom States, has long been in deplorable condition, causing untold hardship to commuters and traders. The reconstruction project is expected to restore smooth connectivity, enhance trade, and attract investment to the region.
Governor Otti assured residents that the project would be executed to the highest standard, promising strict supervision and timely completion.
“This road is vital to our state’s economy, and we will ensure it becomes a model of quality and durability,” he added.
The governor’s remarks have been widely praised as a show of bipartisan cooperation and a model for other states seeking partnership with the Federal Government for development alliance.