Gov Otti Breaks Glass Ceiling: Built 414 Roads, Cut Debt by 60% in Three Years
One of several roads constructed by Gov Alex Otti
By Arit Mbeh
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says his administration has constructed 414 roads covering about 864.12 kilometres within its first three years in office, while also cutting the state’s debt profile by nearly 60 per cent.
Otti made the disclosure during his monthly media chat, “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” held on Friday night in Umuahia.
According to the governor, the road projects were delivered with streetlights and drainage systems, with many of them set for commissioning from next week.
He added that another 82 roads spanning about 212 kilometres are currently under construction across the state.
The governor said Abia’s debt had dropped from about N191 billion in 2023 to less than N50 billion by the end of 2025, describing the development as evidence of prudent financial management.
He also pointed to improvements in governance and accountability, noting that the BudgIT State of States Report moved Abia from 17th position in 2023 to fourth in 2025.
Beyond infrastructure, Otti disclosed that the state government had identified assets allegedly acquired illegally as part of reforms aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
In the area of environmental sanitation, he said the state now evacuates about 13 tonnes of refuse weekly and has created more than 2,000 jobs through the Abia State Environmental Agency.
On transportation, the governor said the state’s electric bus initiative would be expanded with the arrival of additional buses by July. He also announced that a new bus terminal in Umuahia would be inaugurated on May 27, while charging stations are being installed in Umuahia and Aba to support the initiative.
Speaking on land administration, Otti revealed that 4,707 Certificates of Occupancy had been signed since he assumed office — a figure he said exceeds the total number issued between 1999 and 2023. He added that the state had completed a new Abia Master Plan in partnership with UN-Habitat and digitised about four million land documents.
In education and healthcare, the governor highlighted ongoing reforms, including the construction of smart schools, the recruitment of teachers, and upgrades at institutions such as ABSU, ASCETA, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.
He disclosed that 821 healthcare professionals had been recruited, with 771 already deployed to hospitals and primary healthcare centres across the state.
He also said more than 93,000 residents had enrolled in the state health insurance scheme, while 277 primary healthcare centres had been retrofitted, with 121 fully operational.
Ongoing reconstruction works are also taking place at General Hospitals in Ikwuano, Arochukwu, and Ohafia, as well as tertiary healthcare facilities in Amachara and Umunneato.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Otti has centred his administration on infrastructure renewal, fiscal reforms, and public sector accountability. His government gained attention early for clearing salary arrears owed to civil servants and pensioners, a move that boosted public confidence after years of complaints over unpaid entitlements in the state.
His administration has also prioritised urban renewal projects, particularly in Aba and Umuahia, where several major roads that had remained in poor condition for years were reconstructed.
The introduction of electric buses and investments in transport infrastructure form part of efforts to modernise public transportation and reduce commuting challenges.
In the education sector, Otti’s reforms have focused on improving learning facilities and teacher recruitment, while healthcare reforms have targeted the rehabilitation of primary healthcare centres and the expansion of health insurance coverage.
The governor’s supporters credit him with improving transparency in public finance and accelerating project delivery, while critics argue that some rural communities are yet to feel the full impact of his administration’s programmes.
Despite differing opinions, Otti’s government has continued to position itself as reform-driven, with an emphasis on restoring public trust, reducing waste, and improving service delivery across key sectors of the state economy.
