Old Bende reception: There’s still more work to be done – Gov. Otti

By Editor, Umuahia

Abia indigenes of Old Bende extraction last Friday hosted governor Alex Otti at the Enyimba stadium in Aba amidst fanfare to celebrate his achievements so far as governor.

However, governor Alex Otti had said that his achievements notwithstanding, there were still more to be done, saying they were early days.

The governor said that it was still early days to assess his achievements as whatever it was that people were seeing were reflections of more things to come.

The grand civic reception organised in his honour by the Old Bende Progressive Union, Abia South Chapter had lots of dignitaries of the division in attendance.

The Old Bende division is made up of Local Government Areas such as Arochukwu, Isuikwuato, Bende, Ohafia, Ikwuano, Umunneochi, Umuahia South , Umuahia North, and Edda Communities in Ebonyi State.

According to Governor Otti, good governance was key beyond the infrastructure being put in place.

“Some of the modest contributions we have made are there in the brochure, but, I would like to assure our people that this is still early morning.

” As of two days ago, we have just done 29 months and there is still a lot of work to be done. “I have listened to the request of DIG Udah and thank God it is written and I have already forwarded that to the Honourable Commissioner for Works so that we will begin work on them”, Gov. Otti stated.

He informed the mammoth crowd that different preliminary works are ongoing in the various Specialist hospitals across the 3 Zones in the state and would be sustained in the coming months to ensure completion on time.

Governor Otti used the occasion to reiterate that 2027 elections are in the hands of God and warned those boasting about 2027 to stop as no one can predict tomorrow.

“So, those who boast, I want to advise them to stop boasting. You know why? Because no one is guaranteed of being here in 2027. So, if you want to play God, if you want to speak like God, not for God, well, I will leave you in the hands of God. “All of you were here in 2023. That is how they boasted. Where are they today?” Gov. Otti asked.

Governor Otti, who thanked the Old Bende people for hosting him, saluted them for honouring Prof. Nnennaya Otti, the 2023 INEC Returning Officer for the 2023 general election for the role she played.

Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu saluted the people of Old Bende and all Abian residents for the great support extended to the Governor and his Government.

The Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi in his speech, commended Governor Alex Otti for his achievements, especially in the area of infrastructure which has endeared him to the people of the State.Engr. Umahi used the opportunity to announce on behalf of Mr President, the official hand over of certain Federal roads and projects to Governor Otti for fixing and completion; including Umuahia – Ikot-Ekpene road, Umuahia – Onuimo road, Ohafia – Arochukwu road, Omenuko bridge among others and urged the people to sustain their support to the Governor.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the member representing Aba North and South federal constituency, Hon. Alex Ikwuechegh appreciated the achievements of Governor Otti and disclosed that all the people of Old Bende and Ukwa la Ngwa are in support of the Governor’s reelection bid.

The Chairman of the Old Bende Progressive Union, DIG Azubuko Udah (Rtd.) and a stakeholder from Old Bende, Dr Chima Desmond Anyaso confirmed that what the State is witnessing under the remarkable leadership of Governor Alex Otti is unprecedented, and deserve to be celebrated and endorsed for a second term in 2027.

In their goodwill messages, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, Dr. Emeh Okoro and Eze Linus Nto Mbah appreciated the achievements of the Governor within a few years in office and assured him of a second term in office .

The event attracted various cultural displays, featured special honour and presentation made to the Abia State 2023 Governorship Election Returning Officer, Prof. Nnennaya Oti who was represented by the DVC of FUTO, by the Old Bende people for allowing God to use her in the last battle to liberate Abia State by insisting on declaring Governor Otti as the rightful winner of the election.