Governor Otti Commissions Landmark Projects in Igbere, Flags Off Umunnato Specialist Hospital

The ancient community of Igbere in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State witnessed a significant moment in the state’s ongoing infrastructural and healthcare renaissance as the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, paid a working visit to commission key developmental projects and perform the foundation laying ceremony of the proposed Umunnato Specialist Hospital.

The event, which attracted political leaders, stakeholders, and members of the public from across the state, reflected the current administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, improving road infrastructure, and expanding access to quality public services in rural communities.

Among the landmark projects commissioned by the Governor were the Okafia Primary Health Centre (PHC), the Umuisi Primary Health Centre (PHC), and the newly constructed Chris Uche Road, all situated within Igbere community.

Speaking during the foundation laying ceremony of the Umunnato Specialist Hospital, Governor Otti described the project as a strategic healthcare investment aimed at bridging medical gaps in the area and enhancing access to specialist medical services for the people of Bende and beyond.

The proposed hospital, according to the Governor, is designed as a one hundred-bed specialist medical facility with additional sub-health institutions and modern healthcare support infrastructure capable of serving the growing medical needs of the region.

In a firm directive to the contractor handling the project, Governor Otti charged them to ensure timely execution and delivery within one year, emphasizing that the present administration remains committed to quality, speed, and accountability in public projects.

To guarantee effective supervision and timely completion of the project, the Governor constituted a four-man monitoring committee comprising the Labour Party House of Representatives hopeful for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso; the Member Representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe; the Deputy Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Mrs. Ngozi Anya; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Chief Ferdinand Ekeoma.

The committee, according to the Governor, is expected to work closely with the contractor and relevant authorities to ensure that the project is executed according to specification and delivered within the stipulated timeframe.

Shortly after the foundation ceremony, Governor Otti proceeded to commission the Chris Uche Road, a critical access road constructed by the Abia State Government to improve transportation and connectivity within the community.

The Governor thereafter commissioned the Umuisi Primary Health Care Centre and the Health is Wealth Primary Health Care Centre, Okafia Igbere, projects widely applauded by residents as timely interventions capable of improving grassroots healthcare delivery.

The visit further underscored the administration’s broader vision of decentralizing development and ensuring that rural communities benefit meaningfully from governance through modern infrastructure and people-oriented policies.

Several dignitaries accompanied the Governor on the historic visit, including the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechi Emetu; former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Okechukwu; Labour Party Senatorial candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha; Member Representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe; alongside other political leaders, government officials, and stakeholders.

Observers described the event as another defining step in the state government’s ongoing efforts to reposition Abia through strategic infrastructure, responsive governance, and sustainable healthcare development.