Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, is scheduled to flag off the construction of the 3.95 kilometre Old Express Road and the 3.9 kilometre Uratta Road in Aba on October 21, 2026, as part of his administration’s ongoing infrastructure development drive.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, October 12, during a briefing at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by the governor.
Kanu said the projects form part of the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (ABSIID), which he described as a key component of the administration’s strategy to address longstanding infrastructure challenges through modern and sustainable solutions.
He explained that construction work had already commenced on both roads ahead of the formal flag off ceremony, adding that additional road projects would be launched in due course.
The commissioner disclosed that construction and maintenance work was ongoing at 53 direct labour project locations across the state.
According to him, four projects have been completed, while seven new projects have been added to the Ministry of Works’ maintenance programme.
The completed projects include the access road to Umuobia Housing Estate in Umuahia and Nnono Road in Ikwuano Local Government Area.
Others are the rainy season maintenance of approximately 40.6 kilometres of Ururuka Road, which traverses Umuahia South, Isialangwa North, Isialangwa South and Obingwa local government areas, as well as maintenance work on Ohiya community road in Umuahia.
Kanu listed some of the newly added projects as the construction of Ihie-Obegu Road in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area; the first phase of Nkwereonye-Umuogo Road at Ubakala in Umuahia South; and erosion control works at Amaeke Afarata, Ibeku.
Other projects include rainy-season maintenance of Osisioma Flyover in Aba and maintenance work on Umuahia-Bende Road.
He also announced that 25 roads were under contract, noting that the first phase of Bende-Idima Road had been completed.
Kanu further disclosed that the state government was preparing to begin another phase of renovation at the A Line section of Ariaria International Market following the completion of work on a section of the market.
He said the government was committed to ensuring that traders who previously owned shops were not denied access to the newly renovated shops.
According to him, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce has been directed to complete the validation process for affected shop owners before the next phase of renovation begins.
The commissioner urged affected traders to complete their revalidation by October 31, 2026, warning that the opportunity would close after the deadline.
The commissioner announced that the 2026 Abia Mass Mosquito Net Campaign would be officially launched on Friday, October 16, at 11 a.m. at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) Secretariat in Umuahia.
He said approximately 3,003,250 mosquito nets would be distributed across the state during the campaign to support efforts to prevent malaria.
Kanu also announced that Abia would commemorate the 2026 World Sight Day on Thursday, October 15, at the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal.
He explained that the venue was selected because this year’s activities would focus on drivers and the importance of eye health among road users.
On sports, Kanu said the state’s investment in sports development was yielding positive results, citing the performance of Abia’s team at the South-East handball competition.
He disclosed that the team had qualified for the National Handball Division One Championship scheduled to take place in Abuja.
The commissioner also revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development had recently visited correctional facilities in Aba and Umuahia to assess the legal, health, welfare and educational needs of inmates, many of whom are young people.
He said the outreach focused on identifying inmates who required legal assistance, bail support, medical attention and family intervention, while exploring opportunities for educational development and preparation for the First School Leaving Certificate Examination.
Kanu further announced that LaLiga Week would hold from November 26 to December 26, 2026, through collaboration with LaLiga and its Spanish and Basque partners in Nigeria.
He also disclosed that construction of the pedestrian bridge at Eziama Ring Road in Aba had reached an advanced stage.
According to him, the bridge is expected to provide a safer crossing for pedestrians when completed.
The briefing was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma; the Director-General of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Architect Uche Ukeje; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Citizen Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
The announcements highlight the state government’s ongoing focus on road infrastructure, public health, market redevelopment, sports development and social welfare.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
