Gov Otti Announces Arrival Of Electric Buses In Abia, Attributes Port Harcourt Road Project To Divine Intervention

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced that the State’s public transportation system would soon witness a major transformation with the introduction of Electric Buses.

Governor Otti made the announcement while speaking at the “Port Harcourt Road Promise Kept Carnival”, held at Umuagbai Secondary school, organized in his honour by the Aba Business Community to celebrate the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road, Aba.

The Governor announced that the first phase involving the deployment of 20 fully Electric Buses would become operational within the next two months.

He revealed that the State Government in it’s bid to ensure a timely rollout has already completed payment of the Electric powered Buses, similar in design and comfort to those seen in advanced countries.

“In the next two months, not more than two months, our transport system will start working. If you go around, you will see the bus terminals we are building.

“Have you seen them? Beautiful terminals. But that’s not where it ends. In the first instance, we are bringing 20 electric buses.

“We have paid for the 20 electric buses so, they are bringing the buses to carry you and I, because the buses will be beautiful.

“You know the kind of buses you see abroad? That is the buses you will see in Abia. The only difference is that these buses will not use petrol. It will not use diesel. It will not use gasoline. They will be electric buses”, the Governor added.

He noted that the transport upgrade is part of the State Government’s effort to modernize infrastructure and improve the quality of life for the people.

Governor Otti credited divine intervention for the successful reconstruction of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, noting that while people may be used as instruments, only God deserves the celebration.

The Governor recalled the history of the hitherto deplorable state of Port Harcourt Road and how critics dismissed his early mobilization of Julius Berger contractors.

He took a swipe at the opposition for questioning the cost of the project, comparing it with their previous failed attempts.

“When I was declared governor-elect, one month after I brought Julius Berger here, there was so much noise. They said that I was in a hurry to take over, but I know how Julius Berger works. It would take them six months to finish their design.

“In 2017, they (previous administration) awarded this Port Harcourt Road. The amount at that time was ₦9.8 billion. They paid out the entire money, but the road was not done”, Gov Otti stated.

He further explained that while the 2017 contract amounted to about $29 million at the exchange rate then, his administration spent $22.4 million at today’s rates, with visible results to show for it.

“The real issue is that $29 million was spent and no road was done. In 2025, $22 million was spent and the road is standing”, he emphasized.

Governor Otti said he initially discouraged organizers of the carnival from hosting the celebration as the road has not been been officially commissioned.

The Governor revealed that the official commissioning, initially scheduled for two days after the event, was postponed due to the president’s travel but would now take place next month.

He used the opportunity to thank Abians for their support to his administration and lauded residents of Aba for embracing clean environmental practices, inspired by the State Government’s cleanliness campaign.

In their separate goodwill messages earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa and Senator Darlington Nwokocha said that Governor Otti has achieved what past administrations could not achieve, describing the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt road as a major boost to the State’s economy.

Also, the Chairman of the occasion, Ideh John Udeagbala described the event as a celebration of the restoration of hope adding that the Governor has proven to be on a mission to rescue Abia from total ruins.

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