GOV. ALEX OTTI ORDERS IMMEDIATE ACTION ON ABSID PROJECT DELAYS

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia State government has pledged to tackle all issues hampering the implementation of the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development (ABSID) project after paying its counterpart funding of 2 billion naira.

Governor Alex Otti made the pledge at his office in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA, while receiving a joint delegation from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the African Development Bank (AfDB) on supervision and monitoring mission for the ABSID project.

The Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project, a 263.8 million dollar initiative launched in the State last year focuses on urban renewal in Aba and Umuahia, specifically rehabilitating over 248 km of roads, managing solid waste and controlling gully erosion among other key projects.

The governor assured that the State would act swiftly to remove all bottlenecks and collaborate fully with federal government and development partners to deliver the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Governor Otti expressed dissatisfaction with delays and poor feedback from relevant officials and instructed for the commencement of the project this April, rather than mid-year as earlier suggested by the delegation.

The Governor also ordered the immediate drafting and signing of required documentation, mandated weekly progress reports and reassigned oversight responsibilities to his Chief of staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba and the SSG, Dr Emmanuel Meribeole to ensure accountability.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Assistant Director African Financial Institutions, Dr Oyebola Akande commended Governor Otti for his administration’s Infrastructural strides across the State especially the release of the 2 billion naira counterpart funding, describing it as a landmark for the project.

Dr Akande who noted that the project was approved in 2023 with an effective date of 2024, regretted that two years was wasted without any major work being achieved within its five-years timeframe.

Contributing, the AfDB representative, Mrs Sheila Akyza, said that the project is designed to benefit the people of Abia State and must be implemented promptly to achieve value for money.

Mrs Akyza stressed that compensation of Project Affected Persons, PAPs, is a prerequisite for construction to begin, noting that funds have already been made available for the purpose.

Earlier, brief, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Otumchere Oti said the joint delegation from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the African Development Bank were in the state on a supervision and monitoring mission.

According to the Commissioner, they were also in Abia to engage the State Government on ways to accelerate the
Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development project and ensure smooth implementation.