Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has warned contractors handling projects in the state to deliver according to specifications, saying he will not accept any substandard job.
Otti gave the warning Wednesday while flagging off the 67 kilometer Umuahia -Uzuakoli – Abiriba – Ohafia road, said he would be visiting the roads with his personal measuring tapes to ensure the jobs are done according to the terms of agreement.
He explained that he decided to segment the project into three sections and award them to three different contractors to ensure speedy execution.
”We divided the project into three sections and engaged three reputable construction firms because we are in a hurry to recover the lost time. We want the project completed as quickly as possible.
”We won’t accept anyhow job. You will see me with my tape to measure what you have done. There will be no hanky panky job.”
Gov. Otti who decried the deplorable condition of roads in the state, said the project was in keeping with his campaign promises to re-set Abia.
The Governor who disclosed that the project was expected to be delivered in six months, said his administration was in a hurry to transform the state.
”When we were campaigning, we told you clearly that we were going to fix Abia State. We told you to weep no more that help was on the way.
“That’s what we are keeping today. We have come to wipe away tears of many years”.
Gov. Otti noted that the worsening economic situation in the country is posing a challenge for states to live up to their financial obligations, but assured that irrespective of the daunting challenges, he would not renege in his promises.
“No matter the state of the economy, we will keep to our promises. We want our people to move on a motorable roads.
”We want our people living outside the state to visit home more frequently and help stimulate the local economy. We want farm produce to be evacuated from rural communities on good roads.”
The Governor solicited the cooperation and continued support of the people, assuring that his administration is poised to transform the state.
Earlier in a remark, the Commissioner for Works, Otumchere Oti, an Engineer, said the Umuahia-Uzuakoli section of the road would be dualised to enhance free flow of traffic in and out of the state capital.
The Commissioner who said that Gov. Otti had already started rewriting the infrastructural architecture of the state, urged the people to support the contractors.
In a remark, Umuahia North Mayor, Chief Victor Ikeji who described Otti as the political Messiah Abia had long awaited, saying the Governor had so far, proven that he came prepared.
” Our Governor has transformed Abia into a huge construction site. He is now the model for other Governors to emulate”.
The flag off was witnessed by a mammoth crowd including traditional rulers and enthusiastic residents who chanted solidarity songs for the Governor.