How Gov Otti Is Breaking The Jinx Of Abandoned Projects’ Phenomenon, Executing New Ones In Abia

CHARLES OGUGBUAJA, Ph.D.

Servant – leadership practice is desirable in any democratic setting. It is not out of place to believe that such is going on in Abia State now, based on the legion of transformation witnessed, as against clearly seemingly transactional system of administration that took the stage during the previous governments. If this is viewed as a hypothetic statement, let it be. But definitely, it is not antithetical to what below contains.

The man who introduced transformational administration in Abia State, is His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR.

Otti is practicing what an American author, scholar, and organizational consultant, widely known as the father of leadership,” Warren G. Bennis (1925- 2014), defined leadership to be, “the capacity to translate vision into reality. ”

The key economic pillars the Abia Governor, put in place in driving the process of recovering all the abandoned projects that had remained abandoned for as decades as 50 years, and above are not far -fetched.

They include, transparency, institutional discipline (embodying governmental accountability); infrastructural renewal, and massive commitment to the private – sector led growth and participation.

The above are realizable if a leader applies the following as captured by Jack Welch’, a leadership philosopher, in his model “4Es and a P” (Energy, Edge, Execute and Passion).

Energy is achieved when a pro- active and ‘can – do spirit’ are embedded in the conception and action stages of a leader’s line of thoughts and execution. Energizing entails the ability to motivate and inspire others in order to excel.

Edge – is the second, taking into cognizance the courage to make tough decisions for good, without bothering whose ox is gored. Such decisions should be people- centric, and within the confines of the law.

Execute- This is the act of delivering results and meeting commitments as required, and

Passion, that is having a genuine, strong and enthusiastic love for your job that is giving others joy.

Those are not far from what our governor, Dr. Otti, is doing in the 34 – year – old Abia State. Out of the 34 years, 24 years of the democratic experience were seemingly seen as being characterized by stunted growth. Real relief came in less than the last 34 months (May 29, 2023 – March 2026) Otti has been holding the saddle. This is the fact. Nigerians have also testified by the avalanche of comments from the various media outlets, streets, offices and homes’ comments as a result of the visible completed and on going projects; programmes and policies of the present administration.

In the minds of the people which reduced the hectic travels periods, is the hitherto abandoned 70-year -old Igwu River Bridge (aka Omenuko Bridge). The River links to the Ozu Abam – Arochukwu Road (what used to take about 5-hour circumvention drive from Arochukwu to Umuahia and the reverse, now takes 40 minutes comfortable drive). This was reconstructed to standard within one year. The bridge had consumed several lives including 17 pupils who were going to write their examinations. Some children of yet to be buried world known gospel preacher, Dr. Uma Upai, were also lost their, among others who perished on that river. Unfounded mysterious thoughts of harsh spirit in the river was said to have informed the decision of the successive administrations, deterring them from reconstructing it to standard. Governor Otti, damned thes speculations and flagged off the reconstruction in February 4, 2025 and inaugurated it in February 2026 (One year). Non -wastage of man – hour drive has been achieved.

The hitherto Enyimba International Hotel, Ogbor Hill, Aba, has been recovered and a partnership arrangement of the Enyimba – Radisson Blu is in place for the international five -star hotel. Flag off was done in February 25, 2026, for the initial construction of 155 rooms and other facilities. More rooms would come on board soon. This facility was abandoned since 1970s. The attempt made by the Sam Mbakwe Administration, was thwarted in 1983 when the military struck in December 31, 1983. Wherever the spirit of Mbakwe who rested in 2004, is now, will be smiling great for Gov Otti.

It is assumed that when the fast on going works are completed, about 5,500 direct and indirect jobs would be created, with additional rooms and facilities, in months to come. This is a remarkable feat of the century.

Another striking hitherto abandoned important road project in Abia is the Aba – Port Harcourt Express Road, executed by Julius Berger. It was completed by the Otti Administration and inaugurated last year.

The Umuahia -Ikot Epkene Road which had posed a threat to lives has been flagged off. Preliminary activities are going on to ensure a solid and durable work at the end of the reconstruction gestation period.

Other hitherto abandoned roads in the state are the Ovom Street; Ohanku Road; and Obiora Road, all in Aba, among others. While other 31 contract road projects are on going, 49 are being executed, using direct labour.

There are legion of other projects quietly going on at the various parts of the 17 local government areas of the state.

To boost employment base in the state, the Star Paper Mill, Aba and Owerrinta, were recovered from the claws of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), in December 2025, at a cost of N2.5 billion by the Otti Administration. When fully put into production, it is expected that between 3,000 and 5,000 people would be employed there.

The governor had promised to recover and revive moribund industries as a way of stimulating the economic base of the state, during his pre -2023 election campaign period. He is redeeming the promises.

The Abia Airport project, originally conceived as an airstrip, abandoned by the previous administration (without doing anything at the site), was upgraded to an international standard airport, kudos to the efforts of Governor Otti, has had its ground breaking ceremony performed on December 17, 2024, by the Minster of Aviation and Aero Space Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and it is vigorously and progressively ongoing with hope of inauguration within two years or thereabout, scheduled from the date of flag off. Designed with the state – of the -art facilities, the airport is expected to have an air force base; a five -star hotel; a standard road networks, regular and uninterrupted electricity supply, and a modern drainage system carefully designed to prevent flooding in its vicinity.

At this juncture, a big thank you should permanently go to the landowners who willingly gave their lands with compensations. Those who are yet to receive theirs are enjoined to interface with the government correspondingly.

Strategically located to serve travellers between Aba and Umuahia, and other corridors, the airport is also expected to assume as a gateway, bringing new economic opportunities by linking Abia State to national and global markets, with the aim of boosting the tourism potentials. It is important to note that the Federal Government’s partnership with the state government, is a moral booster.

It is important to have Nbawsi -Nsulu developed to correspondingly enable settlers navigate the airport seamlessly. Our dear governor has kicked off development there with the two new roads ongoing there. Special thanks goes to him for this gesture as he attracts more there.

Indeed, the world is witnessing a calculated deliberate structured shift anchored on results-driven public administration.

The intentional and strategic institutional renewal, economic revitalization, being a product of planning framework, would no doubt continue to take Abia State to sustainable growth.

The Abia State’s 25 -Year Development Plan ( 2025 – 2050), already signed into law, is a testament that Governor Otti, has a post – Otti, plan for the state.

Dr. Ogugbuaja, a concerned and staunch supporter of the Otti Administration, holds a B.Sc. (Mass Comm), an M.Sc. (Mass Comm), an M.Sc. (International Affairs & Diplomacy), a Ph.D. (Mass Comm). a PGDE, a Certified Teacher (TRCN), a Dip. (Desktop & Graphics), a Cert.(Biz Mgt. & Enterpr), a Cert.(Population & Demography), & a Cert.(Printing).