Residents of Obuzo Housing Estate, located around Afara–Okwulaga axis in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, have commended the Abia State Government and their constituency representative for timely intervention in electricity supply, while passionately appealing for the construction of critical access roads linking the estate to major routes in Umuahia.
Speaking during ABN TV’s Operation Show Your Project, the Chairman of Obuzo Housing Estate, Mazi high chief Obaa Nnamela JP, described the estate as a fast-growing residential area with over 170 buildings housing landlords, tenants, and host community members.
According to him, the estate, which was opened over a decade ago, has for many years suffered from poor government presence, epileptic power supply, and lack of access roads, despite its strategic location.
“We have lived here for over 11 years without real government presence. Electricity used to come once in a week or even once in two weeks. But since Governor Alex Otti came on board, power supply has improved significantly,” he said.
The estate chairman confirmed that the long-standing electricity challenge has now been addressed with the delivery of a new 300KVA transformer, facilitated by the Member representing Umuahia Central State Constituency, Hon. Chinasa Anthony Abiola, through the Abia State Ministry of Power and Public Utilities.
He disclosed that following repeated complaints by residents, Hon. Abiola promised to intervene and kept to his word.
“On December 10–11, we were invited to the Ministry of Power and Utilities, where we were officially handed a brand-new 300KVA transformer. It is now in our custody, and we are optimistic it will be energized before the end of the year,” Nnamela said.
He described Hon. Chinasa as a responsive and compassionate representative who personally visited the estate, assessed the situation, and acted swiftly.
Residents also used the platform to highlight the strategic importance of the Obuzo–Osah–Ohia road, which links Afara Technical Secondary School, Trinity College Afara, Osah, and Ohia, terminating near the Port Harcourt–Aba–Umuahia Expressway.
According to Nnamela, the road, if constructed, would serve three local government areas, decongest traffic within Umuahia, and provide an alternative route for vehicles coming from Aba and other parts of the state.
“This road will reduce pressure on major expressways and make movement easier for those going to Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and surrounding communities,” he explained.
Another resident, Mr. Amarachi Nwakamwa, a medical awareness scientist, corroborated the chairman’s claims, describing Obuzo Housing Estate as a rapidly developing area with over 100 residential buildings, yet crippled by poor road infrastructure.
He emphasized that the road linking Trinity College Gate, Osah Road, Mission Hill (Boulevard Road), and Ohia Expressway would not only ease traffic congestion, especially during the Christmas season, but also boost agricultural transportation and economic activities in the state.
“Mission Hill Road is already overloaded. If this road is opened, it will significantly decongest traffic and improve economic health, especially for farmers transporting produce,” Nwakanma stated.
He confirmed that the transformer issue has been conclusively addressed, describing the intervention as prompt, pragmatic, and visionary.
“The voltage here was so bad you couldn’t iron or power basic appliances. The new 300KVA transformer, once energized, will finally solve this problem. We sincerely thank Governor Alex Otti and Hon. Chinasa Abiola for keeping their promise,” he added.
The estate leadership also appealed for the creation of polling units within the estate, noting that residents currently travel long distances to vote.
They expressed confidence in the performance of both the Governor and their representative, stressing that easier access to voting facilities would strengthen civic participation and democracy.
ABN TV observed that while Obuzo Housing Estate has recorded visible progress in electricity supply, the state of access roads remains a major concern, deserving urgent government attention due to the estate’s growing population and strategic location.
Residents remain hopeful that the Abia State Government will extend its ongoing infrastructure renewal to cover the Obuzo–Osah–Ohia road corridor in line with its commitment to inclusive development across the state.
