A former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo has commended Governor Alex Otti for paying compensation to the community whose lands would be used for the building of a Federal Secretariat in Abia State.
Onuigbo who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South Federal Constinuency, from 2015 to 2023 said he visited Governor Otti on the 20th of June last year, less than one month after he assumed Office, to bring him up to date on projects.
Recall that the former lawmaker had facilitated the project when he represented the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South Federal Constituency.
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Onuigbo, who was a Senatorial candidate of the APC in the 2023 General Elections and currently representing the people of the South East on the Board of North East Development Commission (NEDC) spoke to newsmen on the 11th of July, after a meeting with Governor Otti in his Umuehim, Nvosi Country home in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
He told reporters that he facilitated some Road projects and the building of a Federal Secretariat in Abia State.
He revealed that the failure of the previous government to pay compensation to the community whose lands were earmarked for the project hindered the Federal Government from commencing the building of the Secretariat.
In his words, “And, based on those things, it was such a good feeling that when i listed some of those roads, the Governor mentioned to me that he already had a plan to work on the road from Ossah to Okara Square. Because I informed him about a road that was supposed to move from Amachara to Ossah and then going down to Umudike, it is called Umuahia-Umudike 16-Km Dualization project:.
“So he now told me he was already working on it, developing the plans, trying to determine the compensation cost and all that. This was on the 20th of June last year less than one month after he assumed office. So, I was quite thrilled that he had such wonderful plans”.
“And then I also informed him of other things including the Federal Secretariat which by the grace of God, I facilitated but it was difficult for the last administration to pay the needed compensation to the community. And, I informed him about all these in addition to the road from Umuhia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene which I also facilitated. And he took interest in these things”.
“And, also, the Skills acquisition Center at Apumiri Ubakala in Umuahia. So, when these things were mentioned, including another road that is coming from Achingala-Umunwawa then coming out to Ubakala. He said he was going to take them up one-by-one”.
Hon. Onuigbo who could not hide his excitements seeing that Governor Otti marched his words with actions, commended the Governor.
“So, when I now saw that he was able to do the road from Ossah to Opara Square and commissioned it and renamed it Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard in less than one year, I concluded that the commendations that some of us have gave him were not misplaced, that’s one”.
“Then 2, he has also been able to pay the compensation that was required or that made it impossible for the past administration to support the Federal Government to realize the Federal Secretariat for Abia State. He has paid that compensation and the traditional ruler confirmed that to me, such that Federal Government has started preliminary processes in commencing the construction of a major Federal Secretariat for the people of Abia State almost 33 years after the creation of the State”.
“These in addition to so many other things that he has done around the State. That’s why people like us are giving him support. And, I came today to say yes, I am grateful that he is doing these things because if you facilitate some of these projects and they are not executed then it doesn’t go anywhere”.
“Then, apart from those ones that are federal government projects that I was involved in, he has been able to do exceedingly well in executing so many other projects, which we have as verifiable pieces of evidence of his good governance”.
“I feel that he has done exceedingly well and deserves recognition, commendation and emulation. And, of course support of the people in moving forward. The evidence is there, I don’t think anybody is playing to the gallery”.
“He has done exceedingly well and he deserves our support. You know, I’m of the APC and he’s of the Labour party. This is not a partisan issue, this is recognition of someone who has done well and who should be encouraged to do much more”, Hon. Onuigbo declared.
While commending Governor Otti for the Launching of the disbursement of One Billion Naira revolving interest-free loan scheme to support 10,000 nano, small and medium scale businesses (SMEs) across the State, Hon. Onuigbo disclosed that the Governor assured him that his administration will put to effective use the Skill Acquisition Centers at Apunmiri in addition to the three other Skill Acquisition Centers – one in each of the three Senatorial zones that his administration will build.
Hon. Onuigbo encouraged Abia people to support Governor Otti in his quest to reform and transform the State.
