New Telegraph-Admin Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has openly acknowledged that the infrastructure development template used by former Governor and current senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, in Aba during his tenure is guiding his own ongoing efforts to rebuild the commercial city.
Governor Otti made this revelation during Senator Kalu’s courtesy visit to his country home in Nvosi, Isiala-Ngwa South, last Sunday.
Speaking warmly of the former governor’s achievements, Otti said: “I am still using former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s infrastructure template for Aba. He did well in Aba when he was the governor.
That template is not wrong — you fix the place that generates the revenue, and the revenue will come and be used to develop other areas.”
Otti emphasised that his administration believes in building on the foundation of past leaders who left positive legacies, rather than discarding effective strategies out of political differences.
“Government and governance is a continuum. It can be broken, but a wise government must go back and recover what worked. There is no need to dwell on the past or fight anyone. We are focused on resetting and moving forward,” he noted.
The governor commended the foresight of Senator Kalu, recalling how his late mother was an ardent admirer of the former governor’s road construction projects in Aba. “My late mother used to say good things about what Senator Orji Kalu did in Aba.
I have always believed that the approach he used was correct — start by fixing the revenue-generating centre of the state and spread development from there.”
Governor Otti’s administration has been widely lauded for its aggressive road reconstruction and urban renewal in Aba, which is revitalising the city’s economy and restoring investor confidence.
He also revealed that his infrastructure work in Aba is already yielding tangible results. He cited the recent N200 million private donation from a grateful Aba businessman to support the government’s efforts in transforming the city’s road network.
In his response, Senator Uzor Kalu commended Governor Otti for the remarkable progress his administration has achieved and expressed satisfaction that his developmental philosophy was being continued.
“You have done well for our state. I am very happy to see that the road from Igbere to Umuahia, which was abandoned for over 16 years, is now smooth and motorable because of your leadership,” Kalu said.
