Otti To Flag Off Reconstruction Of Uratta, Old Express Roads Oct 21 As Abia Advances Long-Delayed $263.8m Infrastructure Project

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, will on Tuesday, October 21, 2026, flag off the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road in Aba under the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project, ABSIIDP.

The flag-off was disclosed by Mr. Odinakachi Eric Eme, Senior Special Assistant on Multilateral and Donor Agencies and Acting Chief Liaison Officer, Abuja, in a statement assessing the journey of the project.

Eme said ABSIIDP was conceived to address critical infrastructure challenges in Aba and Umuahia, covering road rehabilitation, erosion control and solid waste management.

According to him, the project predates the Otti administration, with Abia State initiating engagement with the African Development Bank through the Federal Government in 2014. He noted that a request for financing to support project preparation was submitted in May 2018 and approved in February 2019, with further consultancy processes following, including an expression of interest published in June 2020, but the programme remained in preparation across successive administrations without advancing to full physical implementation.

He said the prolonged delay raises questions about administrative effectiveness and accountability of previous governments, adding that allegations surrounding the preparatory phase concerning handling of preparatory grant resources and weaknesses in financial accountability deserve transparent examination.

Eme said the significance of the Otti administration lies not in originating the project but in advancing it to implementation.

He disclosed that a major milestone was recorded on June 21, 2023, when the AfDB approved the road component of ABSIIDP Phase I, comprising a loan of up to $100 million and a $15 million facility from the Canada-Africa Development Bank Climate Fund, with financing agreements signed in April 2024.

He added that the state subsequently secured the participation of the Islamic Development Bank, with the Federal Executive Council approving $125 million in IsDB financing in August 2025.

Together with the AfDB loan, climate fund facility and Abia State’s $23.8 million counterpart contribution, the overall financing framework amounts to approximately $263.8 million. The programme was formally launched in July 2025.

Eme recalled that in March 2026, during a meeting involving the Governor, a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the AfDB, coordination gaps affecting commencement were identified, at a time the state had reportedly paid N2 billion in counterpart funding. He said Governor Otti expressed dissatisfaction with further delays and directed stricter oversight, including weekly progress reports.

The road component of the programme envisages rehabilitation of about 190.43 kilometres of roads in Aba and 58.03 kilometres in Umuahia, alongside erosion-control interventions and preparatory work on solid waste management. It is also expected to create jobs through a youth road maintenance initiative.

The two roads slated for flag-off – Uratta Road covering about 3.9 kilometres and Old Express Road covering about 3.95 kilometres – combine for about 7.85 kilometres, with CECE identified as the contractor.

Eme said the ultimate measure of the project’s success will be quality execution, transparent procurement and timely delivery, noting that while financing approvals are important, they must translate into completed roads that reduce transportation costs, support commercial activity and improve daily movement for residents.