Governor Alex Chioma Otti of Abia State has continued his promise of opening up roads in Abia State with the flag-off of construction of Okai Item – Akaeze rural road on Saturday.
The governor stated that the 19.4km road is strategically pertinent to the socio-economic enhancement of the state as it shares boundary with Ebonyi State and serves as a route to people traveling from the Federal Capital Territory via Enugu State into Abia State.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Lekwachi Emetu, Governor Otti said there was an urgent need to open up rural roads across the state to promote accessibility of agricultural produce, enhance intra and inter-state business relationships as well as strengthen the ease of doing business.
A press statement signed by Chukwudi Eke Mba, the Chief Press Secretary To the Deputy Governor, said Otti, while urging the community to accord the road contractor and his workers maximum support to ensure smooth and uninterrupted execution of the project, commended their unwavering support to the present administration and urged them not to relent in this regard. He assured the people of state government’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful resolution of the boundary crises between Okai Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State and Akaeze Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“As a government, we are maintaining peace until the National Boundary Commission comes for demarcation. There will be a military presence within the area of dispute to maintain peace and forestall the destruction of life and properties,” the governor said.
]In their separate speeches, chairman of Item Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Jerry Akpala Igwe (Akajiofor Item), the host traditional ruler, HRH Eze James Ogbonnaya (Eze Udo 1 of Okai Item), the President General, Okai Item Development Association, Mazi Ogechukwu Samuel Ogba, and Bishop Sunday Onuoha thanked Governor Otti for giving attention to the plight of Item people through the construction of Okai – Akaeze road which would help boost the socio-economic growth of their people and the neighboring communities, including Ugwueke and Igbere.
The Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Barrister Chijioke Nwankwo, Deputy Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief Mkpa Oju Uka, Hon. Ndukwe Ojukwu, traditional rulers, religious leaders and top government functionaries witnessed the event.
