Abia reduced debt by 60%, delivered 414 roads — Otti

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, says his administration has constructed 414 roads spanning approximately 864.12 kilometres within three years in office.

Otti made the disclosure on Friday during his monthly media chat, “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” held in Umuahia, where he highlighted key achievements across multiple sectors.

According to him, the roads delivered by his administration are equipped with street lights and drainage systems, with many set for commissioning in the coming weeks. He added that 82 additional road projects, covering about 212 kilometres, are currently at various stages of completion.

The governor also said the state’s debt profile has been reduced by about 60 per cent, dropping from roughly ₦191 billion in 2023 to less than ₦50 billion by the end of 2025.

He noted that Abia’s performance in fiscal management has improved significantly, citing its rise in the BudgIT State of States ranking from 17th position in 2023 to 4th in 2025, attributing the progress to enhanced transparency and accountability.

Otti further revealed that his administration has identified assets allegedly acquired illegally as part of ongoing reforms to strengthen governance.

In environmental management, he said the state now evacuates about 13 tonnes of refuse weekly, while more than 2,000 jobs have been created through the Abia State Environmental Agency.

On transportation, the governor disclosed that additional electric buses are expected in July, alongside the inauguration of a new bus terminal in Umuahia on May 27. He added that charging stations are being installed in Umuahia and Aba to support the initiative.

Highlighting achievements in land administration, Otti said 4,707 Certificates of Occupancy have been signed—surpassing the total issued between 1999 and 2023. He also announced the completion of a new Abia Master Plan in collaboration with UN-Habitat, alongside the digitisation of four million land records.

In the education and health sectors, the governor said his administration has made significant progress, including the construction of smart schools, recruitment of teachers, and institutional reforms across key state-owned institutions.

He disclosed that 821 healthcare workers were recruited, with 771 already deployed across facilities, while over 93,000 residents have enrolled in the state health insurance scheme. Additionally, 277 primary healthcare centres have been retrofitted, with 121 fully operational.

Otti added that renovation works are ongoing at several general hospitals, while tertiary health institutions are undergoing upgrades.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure, strengthening human capital development, and restoring the dignity of Abia residents.