Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable development across the state, assuring that ongoing projects initiated by the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) would be completed.
Otti gave the assurance on Thursday, November 5, 2026, when the board and management of GODA visited Government House, Umuahia, to present a report on the authority’s activities in its first two years.
Established by the Otti administration two years ago, GODA is mandated to drive development across Abia North Senatorial District, comprising Arochukwu, Bende, Isuikwuato, Ohafia and Umunneochi Local Government Areas.
The governor acknowledged the challenges of limited time and resources but maintained that his administration would continue to distribute development projects across communities in the state.
“The reality is that there are too many things to do, unfortunately there are constraints – constraints of time, constraint of budget. So, we can only do so much within the limited time that we have and the limited resources available. We will continue to take them one at a time.
“I’m glad, listening to the projects, they are spread across the five Local Governments under GODA. That is also the policy of this Government. We want to spread development to every nook and cranny of the State. But because every nook and cranny is looking for something, we cannot do all at the same time,” Otti said.
He disclosed that the government had several ongoing projects to complete, adding that funds available in the 2027 budget would be directed towards finishing them before the end of the year or, at the latest, early the following year.
Congratulating GODA on its achievements, Otti said the authority had made meaningful contributions to development in the region and urged its management to sustain the momentum.
“I have listened to the report card and I want to congratulate you for the great impact you have made in the past 24 months. I have no doubt that if you were not there, these would not have been achieved,” he said.
The governor also endorsed the authority’s request for continued funding of existing projects, explaining that his administration had directed development agencies and relevant ministries to prioritise completion over initiating new activities towards the end of the financial year.
“I also note your request to continue to fund existing activities. That is in agreement with my communication to the DG sometime last month to say that as the year runs to an end, there is no point starting activities that we would not be able to complete within the financial year, and that it makes more sense to focus on completing existing projects.
“So the request you made is exactly in agreement with the directive I had earlier given, not just to you but to other development agencies, even the Ministries of Works, Health and Education.
“I assure you that the Government will do everything possible to ensure that the projects you have started will be completed,” Otti added.
Earlier, GODA Board Chairman, Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, said the delegation visited to present its two-year activity report following its appointment by the governor to implement the authority’s development mandate.
Presenting the report, GODA Director-General, Engr. Obinna Odum, said the authority had recorded significant progress in translating Otti’s development vision for Abia North into projects across the five local government areas.
On road infrastructure, Odum disclosed that GODA had facilitated and executed 26 projects covering more than 42.8 kilometres within two years.
“Within these two years, we have facilitated and executed 26 road infrastructure projects measuring over 42.8km, including the construction and rehabilitation of strategic community and agrarian roads, bridges, drainage systems and erosion-control interventions,” he said.
Among the projects highlighted were the 1.58-kilometre Amaekpu Ring Road in Ohafia; rehabilitation of the 2.45-kilometre Obilohia–Amune–Ovim–Umuakwua Road in Isuikwuato, which was commissioned by the governor; rehabilitation of the 1.4-kilometre Amaja–Umualum Road in Nneato; and construction of Afia Nkwo, also known as the New Isiama Daily Market, in Ohafia.
Odum said the projects were improving rural connectivity, opening up communities, supporting agricultural activities and stimulating economic growth.
Beyond roads, he said GODA had undertaken interventions in agriculture, water supply, market development and public infrastructure.
The director-general also identified the attraction of the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) to establish its South-East Regional Office in Abia North as one of the authority’s notable institutional achievements.
“Your Excellency, one of our notable institutional achievements has been our role in attracting the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI) to establish its South-East Regional Office in Abia State, domiciled in Abia North. We are equally advancing engagements towards attracting other strategic federal institutions and development opportunities into the region,” Odum added.
He appealed for continued government support through timely funding and approval of priority projects, particularly ongoing road construction and those awaiting commencement.
Among the projects requiring attention, he listed the 2.5-kilometre Amaba–Ugwueke–Amaokai Road in Bende; Amibo–Acha–Umunnekwu Road in Isuikwuato; and Oroni–Nkporo Road in Ohafia.
Odum also sought sustained support for the development of the Abia North Master Plan, economic investment, industrialisation and institutional strengthening.
The delegation expressed appreciation to Otti for his support, attributing the achievements recorded by the authority to his leadership and commitment to balanced development across the state.
Other GODA board members present included Sir Johnson Chukwu, Sir Ike Orika and Dr. Onyinyechi Rufus-Obi.
