Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has revealed that governors of the South-East, alongside some states in the South-South, are working on plans to develop a regional railway network aimed at improving connectivity, boosting trade and accelerating economic integration across the region.
The governor disclosed this on Thursday during the July edition of his monthly media chat in Umuahia, where he explained that the proposed rail system would link Port Harcourt, Aba, Enugu, Imo and Akwa Ibom, creating a seamless transportation corridor to complement the Federal Government’s rail infrastructure.
Otti said the state had initially commissioned a Chinese firm to design a light rail project that would connect major parts of Abia but later suspended the initiative after deciding that a broader regional network would deliver greater economic benefits.
“We had engaged a Chinese company which produced a design that would link many parts of the state. But, on further consideration, we found that linking parts of the state without taking neighbouring states into account may not be the best approach,” the governor said.
He explained that discussions were already underway among states in the South-East and parts of the South-South to integrate their transportation systems through a unified railway project.
“The South-East states and some parts of the South-South are now in discussions on how we can connect ourselves through a regional rail network,” Otti stated.
According to him, the proposed project will also leverage the existing Port Harcourt–Maiduguri railway corridor, which passes through Aba, making integration with the Federal Government’s rail infrastructure more practical and economically sustainable.
The governor said that decision was responsible for delaying the implementation of Abia’s standalone light rail project.
Otti Distances Self From Tinubu 2027 Endorsement
Governor Otti also addressed claims that South-East governors had endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, insisting that no governor has the mandate to speak on behalf of others.
Responding to reports credited to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Otti said every governor was entitled to express personal political views but could not impose such positions on colleagues.
“I am not sure I heard that, but if Governor Hope Uzodimma said so, it is his right as a governor and as an individual.
“He cannot speak for everybody. I think it is still early in the day to discuss that.
“But let us also be clear that this is a government and governance flows from the national level through the sub-national levels to the local governments,” he said.
The Labour Party governor maintained that President Tinubu, like every eligible Nigerian, has the constitutional right to seek re-election, stressing that only the electorate would decide the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
“He has the right to seek a second term, just as others who wish to contest have the right to do so.
“At the end of the day, it is the ballot box that will determine what happens, including in this state,” Otti added.
20 Electric Buses, New Housing Estates
The governor further announced that his administration had acquired 20 additional electric buses to strengthen public transportation across the state.
He also disclosed plans to develop new housing estates in Umuahia and Aba as part of efforts to address housing needs and support urban development.
Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining investments in education, security, infrastructure, science, technology, innovation, arts and culture, describing them as critical pillars for Abia’s long-term economic transformation.
