By Aisha Maikudi Abdulkadir
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and the entire South East have been pleaded with to, irrespective of party affiliation, stand with President Bola Tinubu.
The plea was made on Thursday by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, during a visit to Otti in his office, following an unscheduled, discreet inspection of ongoing federal road projects in the state—projects expected to be commissioned by the President later this year.
Umahi, who, appreciated the good, long standing relationship between Tinubu and Otti, noted that the President is doing many projects in the South East, stating, “We have every reason as Ndigbo and people of the South-East, irrespective of party affiliation, to stand with this man (President Tinubu) who is standing with the Southeast to rewrite our history and relaunch us into the mainstream of the federal government.
“So, I will not preach to you about support for the President because you have been the President’s very good friend, even before I came to know the President, and I am happy that you have so much love for him. And, without speaking for you, I will beat my chest to say that all the governors of Southeast are standing with the President.”
He went further to commend Otti for reconstructing federal roads in the state and delivering quality road projects, stating, “I didn’t want to tell you, and you didn’t know that I was coming, but I am here principally to secretly look at some of our projects in Abia State that we want to commission by December, and also look at some of the great projects you are doing that the President will commission when he visits Abia State, so that I will be able to report properly to him.
“I have gone round on my own, I didn’t ask anybody to join me, and I want to say that I am very proud of what you are doing for Abia people. I’m really proud. Not only the quantum of projects you have completed, but the quality also, especially, the Port-Harcourt Road. It is mind-blowing that, that place could be recovered. And, I think it is only a heart of yours that can recover that place the way it is now.
“I commend you very highly, and it is only the President, the man of infrastructure, that will be qualified to commission that project.. I also want to thank you for some of the interventions on our Federal Roads.”
Umuahia also appreciated Otti for the encouragement given to the construction of two sections of Port Harcourt to Enugu Expressway, adding that, before Otti came on board, it was difficult for the contractors to freely work.
While appealing to governors to partner with the federal government in carrying out various projects in their states, not minding party differences, Umahi pleaded with Otti, “To look at the plight of our people on the other (Aba – PH Express) carriageway. See what you can do to help us. Even if you want to use the same contractor, use them.”
Responding, Otti reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the FG in delivering key infrastructural projects that would positively impact the lives of the people.
He appreciated the FG’s support to Abia and assured that the state would continue to partner with the FG as one administration.
“I want to reassure you that we will work with the Federal Government and ensure that we work together and collaboratively for the benefit of our people.
“The Enugu-Port Harcourt carriageway that you spoke about, I would ask the Commissioner for Works to go and have a look at it.
“When those roads are done, the credit goes to the government. Whether it is the one at the centre or the one at the state, it is the same government, and then, the beneficiaries are the people”, Otti stated.