Push for Swift Action on Abia State Infrastructure Project
The Federal Government, alongside the African Development Bank (AfDB), has urged the Abia State Government to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that are postponing the launch of the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (ABSIID). This multi-million dollar project is vital for the region’s economic growth and has already seen significant delays.
During a recent visit to discuss the situation with Governor Alex Otti, representatives from both entities highlighted that two years of the project’s five-year timeline have been lost due to administrative challenges. The ABSIID was officially initiated by Governor Otti on July 11, 2025, at the JAAC Building in Umuahia, but its execution has struggled under a cloud of bureaucracy.
With a total capital expenditure pegged at $263.80 million, the project includes funding from several sources. The AfDB will contribute $100 million, while the Nigerian government has committed $23.8 million (approximately N2 billion) in counterpart funds, which have already been paid. Additional funding includes $125 million from the Islamic Development Bank and $15 million from the Canada-African Development Bank.
The ABSIID project is set to rehabilitate over 248 kilometers of roads while also addressing waste management and erosion control. Specifically, 126 kilometers of roads will be developed in Aba, with an additional 35.57 kilometers planned for Umuahia.
Federal Officials Emphasize Need for Collaboration
Dr. Oyebola Akande, leading the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Finance, commended Governor Otti for promptly facilitating the N2 billion counterpart funding. She emphasized that their mission is to collaborate closely with the Abia State Government and its financial partners to fast-track the project’s implementation.
Highlighting the collaborative nature of the effort, Akande pointed out that roles are defined for states, the federal government, and banking institutions. She urged the Abia team to expedite processes that have caused a two-year delay and called for the governor’s intervention to alleviate existing bureaucratic impediments.
AfDB Seeks Timely Implementation
Sheila Akiza, representing the AfDB, echoed these sentiments, stating that all parties are committed to working alongside the state government to facilitate rapid implementation for the benefit of the local populace. Akiza lauded the ABSIID project as one of Governor Otti’s most significant achievements for the state, aiming to uplift its infrastructure.
Governor Otti Commits to Resolving Issues
In response to the delegation’s concerns, Governor Otti assured that he would address all issues delaying the initiation of the ABSIID project. He attributed some setbacks to a communication gap, noting that crucial updates had not been effectively shared. To remedy this, he assigned his chief of staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, to engage with the team and implement weekly reporting mechanisms.
Discussions on Project Timelines
The governor expressed frustration over receiving inaccurate information regarding the project’s progress, asserting that past reports inaccurately placed the blame on ABSIID, federal ministries, and banking institutions rather than the state treasury. He emphasized that the payment of counterpart funds signifies that the treasury’s role is complete at this stage.
While discussing the timeline for project completion, Otti rejected a mid-year proposal for flagging the ABSIID initiative, asserting that completion should be targeted for April. He expressed optimism about achieving progress going forward and committed to working closely with project officials to resolve outstanding issues.
In attendance at the meeting alongside Otti were the Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Works, Otumuchele Oti, who underscored the state’s commitment to overcoming any hurdles in launching this crucial infrastructure project.
