BREAKING BARRIERS

Being the Text of an Address Presented by Governor Alex C. Otti, OFR, at the official flag off of the construction of the Ariam-Usaka Ring Road on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Obeama Ariam Model Primary School, Ikwuano LGA.

Protocols

1 Success in the development race requires clear thinking, the courage of dynamic execution, and the resilience of a warrior’s spirit. The privileges of development are not spread universally because many would rather stick with the comfort of the familiar than strike out on a new path, no matter the promises that lie ahead. The secret to victory in any undertaking, as many of us can testify from lived experiences, is in the will to dare, to believe without flinching, and to remain unmoved in the conviction that nothing is impossible for the one who refuses to yield to the frustrations of delay, uncertainty, and disappointing setbacks.

2 We have dedicated the whole of this day to Ikwuano as our way of saying thank you to our people for standing firmly by us, believing in the sincerity of our campaign for a new political order, and for the significant sacrifices you made to keep the ship afloat in the days of great turbulence. Thank you for believing in democracy and the rewards it promises — the opportunity it offers and the power it gives each of us to be part of something bigger than our individual selves. Abia is better today because you insisted that our great State deserved better than it did yesterday.

3. Democracy is nothing without development so our train arrived today in Ikwuano to make 2 important statements: one, to put a permanent end to the misery of bad roads starting with the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road which we just flagged off its reconstruction and to unlock the doors of prosperity as we formally crack the earth to begin the construction of the 13.1-kilometre Ariam-Usaka Ring Road. Thank you for coming out in your numbers to welcome us and for the generous comments that have been made by many of our leaders from here. May I also thank you for your remarkable patience over the years because I know the social misery you have endured. While flagging off the reconstruction of the 25-kilometer stretch of failed road on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal highway, we announced an effective end to the agony of passing through hell in your daily commutes. Now we have come to Ariam-Usaka to re-echo the same position and announce the beginning of a new cycle of investments that would ultimately transform this corridor into the next frontlines of opportunities and prosperity.
4. Beyond ending the nightmarish experience of passing through difficult road patches as you go to and return from work every day, we have also come to declare an end to the politics of deceit and failed promises. At a brief ceremony at the Timber Market in Ahiaeke a short while ago, we extracted a commitment from the contractor that the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road project shall be delivered within 18 months. Here in Ariam-Usaka, we also want to assure you that the contractor will get every support they need to complete this project in 12 months. We shall not entertain any excuses for non-satisfactory performance because every resource required to ensure timely completion has been made available. I have directed the State Ministry of Works to be very painstaking with their supervisory role and flag any deviation from design as quickly as they are spotted. Full value has to be delivered for every kobo of investment made on the project as I look forward to the commissioning in due course.
5. This project is dear to my heart because of the potential it holds for the transformation of the economic and social experiences of our people. This region, as many stakeholders have rightly acknowledged, is one of the major agricultural belts in the State. It then follows that by the time the construction efforts are completed, we shall begin to see a rise in the volume of agricultural outputs and inevitably, the wealth of farmers who will no longer have to endure the frustrations of high transport costs to the urban markets. The Ariam-Usaka Ring Road has been designed as an economic enabler for the people of Ikwuano in particular and the entire Abia State at large because of the interconnectivity of agriculture and the general scope of entrepreneurship in this part of the country.
6. The successful delivery of the Ariam-Usaka Ring Road would expectably lead to a steep rise in the quantity of cassava, palm produce, general cereals, and legumes in our markets by the next farming season. I am also optimistic that by next year, more people will come to appreciate the magnificence of the natural palm wine from Ariam because the road network will no longer be an obstacle to wider distribution. One more thing I look forward to is new levels of generous investments in agro-allied businesses as investors are likely going to take advantage of the fertile agricultural land here and the proximity to urban markets in Abia and Akwa Ibom States to make more money. What I further expect would happen in the next few months is an explosion in job numbers, reverse migration as young people begin to find opportunities in their communities, and of course, real wealth for economic agents.
7. We are mindful of the critical needs of this part of the State so while we shall be starting with the 2 major road projects in focus today, we are also making plans to commence other road infrastructure development design, and execution when the 2026 budget cycle comes on stream. The grand plan is to connect communities within Oloko, Oboro, Ibere, and Ariam to each other and to the clans and communities in Bende and Umuahia North and South local government areas. Our development outlook is, however, not restricted to roads. The electricity challenge you face in the communities around Ikwuano and other parts of Abia Central and beyond would soon be a thing of the past as we consummate ongoing efforts at setting up a ring-fenced electricity market for Umuahia and parts of the State outside the Aba electricity corridor. We already have the institutional vehicle to drive these initiatives and just recently, our offer to buy out Interstate Electric in EEDC was accepted. The next 18 months would see a great transformation in the Abia Electricity Market through investments in infrastructure expansion, connectivity, energy generation, and distribution to homes and businesses.

8 I would like to invite all of us to continue to be steadfast in our support for the programs and policies of the administration, pay your taxes and other statutory fees as soon as they fall due because revenue is the oil that keeps the wheels of development in motion. Refuse to be misled by those who flourish in dishonest communication and ignoble lies. This is your government and whatever it achieves is to your credit. Therefore, do not pay heed to those who may seek to return us to the old era of neglect and crass political opportunism. On our part, we shall continue to do everything possible to reward your faith and commitment to the new Abia project through excellent service delivery, infrastructure development, security of lives and property, and the expansion of the doors of opportunities for our young men so they can live their best lives here in our land.

9. Let me, as I round up, appreciate the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Otumchere Oti, FNSE, and the leadership team at the Ministry for their culture of hard work and professionalism. We invite the people of Ariam-Usaka to offer them all the cooperation they need to perform their oversight functions over the entire cycle of the project. Call their attention whenever you notice a slack in delivery and do not take your eyes off the ball until we return for the commissioning in about 12 months, or less.
10. Thank you for listening and may God bless Abia State.

Dr Alex C. Otti, OFR,

October 24, 2025