…Says 2027 Budget Will Prioritise Completion of Ongoing Projects Across Abia
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring equitable development across all parts of the state, assuring that no community will be left behind in the ongoing transformation agenda.
Otti gave the assurance on Thursday, November 5, 2026, when he received the Board and Management of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA), who visited Government House, Umuahia, to present a report of the authority’s achievements in its first two years of operation.
Established by the Otti administration two years ago, GODA was mandated to accelerate development across the five local government areas of Abia North Senatorial District: Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi.
The governor acknowledged the enormous developmental needs across the state but explained that limited time and financial resources had made it necessary for his administration to prioritise projects and implement them in phases.
“There are too many things to do. Unfortunately, there are constraints of time and budget. So, we can only do so much within the limited time that we have and the limited resources available. We will continue to take them one at a time,” he said.
Otti commended GODA for distributing its projects across the five local government areas, describing the approach as consistent with his administration’s policy of spreading development across every part of Abia.
He, however, disclosed that the state government would prioritise the completion of ongoing projects in the 2027 budget rather than embark on new ones that might not be completed within the financial year.
According to him, available resources would be channelled towards completing existing projects before the end of 2027 or, at the latest, early 2028.
The governor congratulated the GODA leadership on its achievements in the last 24 months, noting that many of the recorded interventions might not have been possible without the authority’s establishment.
“I have listened to the report card and I want to congratulate you for the great impact you have made in the past 24 months. I have no doubt that if you were not there, these would not have been achieved,” he said.
He further assured the delegation that the government would sustain its support for ongoing projects, adding that the directive to prioritise project completion had also been extended to other development agencies and key ministries, including Works, Health and Education.
Earlier, Chairman of the GODA Board, Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, said the delegation visited Government House to formally present its two-year activity report following their appointment by the governor to drive development across Abia North.
Presenting the report, GODA Director-General, Engr. Obinna Odum, said the authority had recorded significant progress in translating the governor’s development vision for the region into concrete projects and interventions across the five local government areas.
On road infrastructure, Odum disclosed that GODA had facilitated and executed 26 road projects covering more than 42.8 kilometres within the period under review.
He said the projects included the construction and rehabilitation of strategic community and agrarian roads, bridges, drainage systems and erosion-control facilities.
Among the projects highlighted were the 1.58-kilometre Amaekpu Ring Road in Ohafia; the rehabilitation of the 2.45-kilometre Obilohia-Amune-Ovim-Umuakwua Road in Isuikwuato, which had been commissioned by the governor; and the 1.4-kilometre Amaja-Umualum Road in Nneato.
Others included the construction of Afia Nkwo, also known as the New Isiama Daily Market, in Ohafia.
According to the director-general, the interventions were gradually improving road connectivity, opening up rural communities, facilitating agricultural activities and stimulating economic growth across the region.
Beyond road construction, he said GODA had supported initiatives in agriculture, water supply, market development and other public infrastructure projects.
Odum also identified the attraction of the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) to establish its South-East Regional Office in Abia State, domiciled in Abia North, as one of the authority’s major institutional achievements.
He said GODA was also pursuing engagements aimed at attracting more strategic federal institutions and development opportunities to the region.
The director-general appealed for sustained government support through timely funding and approval of priority projects, particularly ongoing road construction works and projects awaiting commencement.
Among the proposed projects requiring attention were the 2.5-kilometre Amaba-Ugwueke-Amaokai Road in Bende Local Government Area; the Amibo-Acha-Umunnekwu Road in Isuikwuato; and the Oroni-Nkporo Road in Ohafia.
He also sought the governor’s continued support for the development of the Abia North Master Plan, economic investment, industrialisation and institutional strengthening.
The delegation expressed appreciation to Otti for his continued support, attributing the achievements recorded by the authority to his leadership and commitment to balanced development across the state.
Other members of the GODA Board present at the meeting included Sir Johnson Chukwu, Sir Ike Orika and Dr Onyinyechi Rufus-Obi.
