Peter Obi Commends Otti For Constructing Road Abandoned For 40 Years

The Labour Party presidential candidate for the just concluded 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has commended Governor Alex otti of Abia State for the flag off of a strategic 30.1 km of road, the Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam road that has been abandoned for about 40 years.

Obi in a Facebook post on his verified page on Thursday said it is easy to imagine what had become of the communities in the area over these years concerning their contributions to the economic growth of the State.

The former Anambra State Governor noted that what Governor Otti is doing, for him, is what governance should be all about. He added that no road had earlier existed in these communities, and they were some of the major food-producing areas in the State.

He likened the impact of the road project on the communities to the first road project which he flagged off as the Governor of Anambra State in 2006, the Anaku-Omor-Igbakwu-Ifite Ogwari-Umueje- Omasi road, 39 km long as it has some resemblance.

Obi reminded the Governor that roads globally are maintained periodically depending on their strength at 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years intervals.

He however pleaded with successive governments that will take over power in the future, after Gov. Otti, to do everything to maintain the roads he is now building. Noting that one of the biggest tragedies of our system is the lack of maintenance culture in governance.

“In continuation of his commitment to the infrastructural development of Abia State, the state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, yesterday flagged off a strategic 30.1 km of road, the Arochukwu-Ndi Okereke-Ozuabam road. This very road had been abandoned for about 40 years.

“It is easy to imagine what had become of the communities in the area over these years concerning their contributions to the economic growth of the State.

“I could feel the impact of this road project on these communities, as it is in resemblance to the first road project which I flagged off as the Governor of Anambra State in 2006, the Anaku-Omor-Igbakwu-Ifite Ogwari-Umueje- Omasi road, 39 km long.

“No road had earlier existed in these communities, and they were some of the major food-producing areas in the State. What Governor Oti is doing, for me, is what governance should be all about.

“Investing in strategic infrastructure that will positively impact the socio-economic development of society and the ultimate well-being of the people, should be desired by any caring government, as Gov Otti has done in this particular case.

“I plead with successive governments that will take over power in the future, after Gov. Otti, to do everything to maintain the roads he is now building. One of the biggest tragedies of our system is the lack of maintenance culture in governance.

“Strategic infrastructures like these require constant maintenance to be able to serve their purpose. No matter how strong a road is built, it will eventually expire and become weak if not properly maintained.

“Most roads globally are maintained periodically depending on their strength at 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years intervals. It then becomes imperative that this is followed.

“The government is meant to protect and care for the people, and it is imperative that we the political leaders understand this, and put it into practice, even as we all work towards the New Nigeria, a land of infinite possibilities”.