Governor Alex Otti of Abia says his administration has completed the reconstruction of 90 roads at different stages of dilapidation when he assumed office.

Mr Otti said this during his interaction with journalists for June at the Government House, Umuahia, on Friday night.

He said, “All the 90 roads were done by our Ministry of Works by direct labour, and some of them fit into our Zero Pothole Policy.

“We have reconstructed, rebuilt and inaugurated 16 roads.

“We have also worked on another 16 roads at the moment, and the total length of the 16 roads is about 165 kilometres, running through the different senatorial districts of the state.”

The governor said the state government had awarded the “long abandoned and very difficult Ohanku Road.”

Mr Otti said plans were underway to secure virement from the 2024 budget for road construction because “it appears that we are running faster than our budget on roads.”

On healthcare, he expressed the determination of the government to evolve programmes and policies that would transform the state’s health sector.

Mr Otti said that, as part of its efforts, the government had commenced the rehabilitation of general hospitals across the state.

He also said the government was determined to rehabilitate the primary healthcare centres, and it would be done in batches to make the centres operational.

The governor said his administration had started remodelling public schools in its resolve to improve educational standards and provide a conducive learning environment.

On agriculture, he said the government was desirous of partnering with reputable organisations to boost the production of palm oil, rubber, cocoa, plantain and rice, amongst others.

On security, he said the government takes security seriously and remains committed to ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.

He expressed regrets over the killing of five soldiers in Aba on May 30, describing the incident as dastardly and a breach of security.

Mr Otti said the government had issued enough warnings and now resolved more than ever before to deal decisively with hoodlums who refused to relocate out of the state.

He said his administration had prioritised workers’ welfare; hence, salaries were now paid on the 28th of every month.

According to him, other pending issues inherited from the previous administration, such as promotion and arrears of leave allowances, were being looked into. 

(NAN)