Otti immortalises Umar Ukpai, Okezie

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Wednesday renamed the newly rehabilitated Onuimo – Tower Road – to Uma Ukpai Way, the late renowned evangelist.

This is as he also renamed the Ahiaeke – Okwuta – Bende Road to JOJ Okezie Road in continuation of project commissioning and flag-off of new projects to commemorate his third anniversary in office.

The roads commissioned included; Orpet – Umuafai – Lodu – Ahiaeke – Ndume Road, Ahiaeke – Okwuta – Bende Road, now JOJ Okezie Road, Madonna Hospital Road, Afara, Justice Okoroafor Close, Afara, Library Avenue Road all in Umuahia North. Others are Umubioko – Amakama road, Nsukwe – Umuogo Road, Tower-Onuimo Road now Uma Ukpai Road in Umuahia South.

Speaking at the various spots of the commissioning ceremony, Governor Otti appreciated the people living in the areas for their patience in managing the roads during construction.

The Governor said that the Tower-Onuimo Road was named after Uma Ukpai, while that of Ahiaeke – Okwuta – Bende Road was named after JOJ Okezie Road to appreciate the great impacts of the legends.

“So, what we have come here today is to celebrate the completion of these roads. We also want to celebrate our fathers in this State, who are no more,” Governor Otti stated.

For the Tower-Onuimo Road, Governor Otti while appreciating Craneburg Company Limited for job well-done, said that the road was reconstructed to ease traffic and ensure people coming into the State are greeted with good roads.

“The whole idea is that when you get into Abia State, you will be greeted by good roads. You will know that you have entered Abia State.

“So, I am happy that this has been completed, and lined up with street lights, markings, drainage on both sides. So, this is guaranteed to last a long time.

Otumchere Oti, commissioner for Works, said that the roads were in bad conditions before the governor intervened.

He pointed particularly, how impassable the Orpet – Umuafai – Ahiaeke Road and Ahiaeke – Okwuta – Bende Road were and commended the decision of the Governor to fix them as well as appreciated the Craneburg company limited for its quality delivery in most of the road projects.

Otumchere Oti, who noted that for the Tower – Onuimo Road, the governor directed that though the federal road was a single – carriage road, it should be reconstructed and dualised.

“You said we should dualise the road and today the road has been dualised. It is a 6-kilometre road.

“This is a federal road, but thank God that we have a Governor, who does not know the distinction between a state road and a federal road, provided the construction of the road will benefit the people of the State,” Oti stated.