Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says that building a Federal Secretariat in the state will have multiplier economic and aesthetic effects on the state’s overall development.

Otti said this on Wednesday, when Chief Sam Onuigbo, a former member of the House of Representatives (Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency), paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia.

He regretted that while almost all the states in the federation, including those created in 1996 (six years after Abia), had functional federal secretariats, Abia had yet to have its own.

He expressed dismay that efforts to construct a federal secretariat in the state were frustrated in the past by some state actors.

The governor commended Onuigbo for his unwavering pursuit of the project, in spite of the frustrations encountered along the way.

He said that he was excited that Onuigbo shared similar perspective on the matter and the construction of the 16-kilometre Umuahia-Umudike Road from Abia Tower.

Otti said that he had started the process of dualising the road from Abia Tower to Okpara Square, to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

According to him, the project is in line with his vision of enhancing the aesthetics of Umuahia, the capital city.

He said he was pleased to learn from Onuigbo that a plan was already in motion for the project, including the construction of a flyover from Amachara to Ossah.

Meanwhile, Otti has expressed concern over the impact of climate change and the need to prioritise sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the state.

He expressed serious interest in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

He further spoke on the importance of creating opportunities and achieving Low Green House Gas emissions, including green growth and sustainable economic development.

Ealier, Onuigbo, who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021, praised the governor’s vision and pledged to offer his legislative, intellectual and technical expertise to drive climate change action in Abia.

The former lawmaker also spoke on some of his achievements in his eight-year stay in the National Assembly.

The list included the ongoing reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road, Okwe-Obuohia-Nkari Road connecting Abia and Akwa Ibom and proposed
Federal Secretariat in Abia.