Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has assured the people of Umunneochi Local Government Area that the long-awaited reconstruction of the Mmam Bridge will commence, declaring that the project has already been provided for in the 2026 budget and will be delivered by his administration.
The governor gave the assurance on Friday while addressing a grand civic reception organised in his honour by the people of Umunneochi at Peace Comprehensive Secondary School, Amuda, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring balanced development across all parts of Abia State.
Responding to requests made by community leaders, Otti recalled that the deplorable state of the bridge was brought to his attention during an earlier visit to the area, prompting him to direct the relevant government agencies to assess the structure.
He explained that the outcome of that assessment informed the inclusion of the project in the 2026 Appropriation Law.
“I have noted your comments, particularly about the Mmam Bridge. I remember that the last time I was here, the matter of the bridge came up, and I had asked that our people should go and look at it. I am sure that it is on the basis of that that it made it into the 2026 budget. And because it has made it into the budget, you should go and sleep. We will do it,” the governor assured.
He stressed that his administration does not discriminate in the execution of projects, noting that every part of Abia deserves equal attention because all communities are critical stakeholders in the state’s development.
“The truth is that what we do in Arochukwu, we do in Umunneochi; we do everywhere across the state because we recognise every part of the state as stakeholders in the governance of the state,” he said.
Governor Otti also unveiled plans to extend the state’s electric mass transit system to Umunneochi, disclosing that one of the newly acquired 20 electric buses would operate on the Umuahia-Umunneochi route.
According to him, another route has also been created to connect Umuahia, Okigwe and Abia State University, Uturu, as part of efforts to improve transportation and ease mobility for residents.
“I have already decided that. Part of the plan is that the buses will be plying Umuahia to Umunneochi. We also have a new route from Umuahia to Okigwe to Abia State University in Uturu,” he stated.
The governor thanked the people for acknowledging his administration’s interventions in the area, particularly the construction and rehabilitation of 19 Primary Healthcare Centres, improvements at the General Hospital, and investments in public schools.
Reaffirming his commitment to education, Otti said his government’s free education policy was designed to remove financial barriers to learning and expand opportunities for children across the state.
He recounted how students stopped his convoy on the way to the event simply to express appreciation for the abolition of school fees.
“They wanted to thank me for taking away school fees for them,” he said, describing the encounter as a strong affirmation that government investments in education are yielding positive social impact.
On security, the governor commended residents for collaborating with security agencies through the provision of credible intelligence, insisting that sustained community support remains vital in the fight against crime.
“We cannot do it alone. We require all the information which you give, and I can assure anyone who is a criminal, anyone who has a criminal intent, that this place will not contain them and us,” he said.
Warning criminal elements to either abandon their activities or leave the state, Otti declared that his administration would remain relentless until every criminal hideout was dismantled.
“So, the earlier they give up and relocate, or the earlier they change to become good citizens, the better for them. Otherwise, we’ll smoke them out. In this fight, we will win,” he added.
The governor also appreciated political leaders, stakeholders and prominent sons and daughters of Umunneochi for their unwavering support for his administration, noting that their commitment has contributed significantly to the progress being recorded across the state.
Expressing confidence in Abia’s future, Otti maintained that the state had embarked on an irreversible journey of transformation.
“As the Lord lives, Abia will never go back to Egypt. We are going to move from glory to glory. This is a blessed land, blessed with resilient and energetic people. All that the government is doing is to create an enabling environment for you to do well, and we will continue to do that,” he said.
The governor concluded by thanking the people of Umunneochi for the warm reception accorded him and prayed for sustained peace, unity and continued restoration of Abia State as it moves towards greater development.
In a strong show of bipartisan support, prominent political leaders, statesmen and community stakeholders from Umunneochi unanimously endorsed Governor Alex Otti’s leadership, citing his administration’s achievements in healthcare, education, infrastructure development and security as evidence of effective governance.
Leading the commendations were the Labour Party’s Abia North Senatorial candidate, Chief David Ogba Onuoha; Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Hon. Amobi Ogah; Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon. Mathias Umeh; and an elder statesman as well as former Minister of Education and Health, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike.
They praised Governor Otti for what they described as visible and impactful development across Abia State, particularly in the areas of healthcare delivery, road infrastructure, education and the restoration of public confidence in government.
According to them, the governor has demonstrated exceptional leadership, prudent management of public resources and a clear capacity to deliver democratic dividends, making him deserving of a second term in office in 2027.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije; the Governor’s Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo; the Mayor of Umunneochi Local Government Area, Chief Sunny Afurobi; community leader, Mr. Uche Okoroafor; and the representative of the Northern community in Umuchieze, Alhaji Buba Abdullahi, described Governor Otti as a grassroots-oriented and people-centred leader whose policies have directly improved the lives of residents.
They expressed gratitude for the administration’s interventions in Umunneochi, particularly its efforts in combating insecurity, approving the construction of a new General Hospital, retrofitting 19 Primary Healthcare Centres—12 of which are already operational—executing critical road projects and improving educational infrastructure across the area.
Reaffirming their confidence in the governor’s leadership, the speakers pledged their support for his re-election bid in 2027.
In his remarks, Alhaji Abdullahi noted that Umunneochi has become a peaceful and welcoming home for all residents as a result of the government’s decisive actions against criminality, and described Governor Otti as a leader who not only makes promises but follows through with concrete and measurable development.
A major highlight of the reception was the formal admission of new members into the Labour Party and the presentation of the party’s flag by Governor Otti and the State Chairman of the party.
The new entrants were led by the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Jasper Uche.
The colourful event attracted a large gathering of political leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, party faithful and other distinguished personalities from across Abia State.
