By Jim Nnaji
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Thursday, May 23, pay an official visit to Abia State, where he is expected to commission the newly reconstructed 6.5-kilometre Port Harcourt Road in Aba—one of the most significant infrastructural interventions by the Governor Alex Otti administration.
The road, which had remained in a deplorable state for more than 15 years, was completely rebuilt under the current state government and is now positioned as a critical economic lifeline for Aba’s bustling commercial ecosystem.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during an inspection of a separate Federal Government project: the Abia Tower of Peace, Umuahia to Rail Flyover, Aba section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, where he assessed damage to the Osisioma axis.
Speaking to journalists on-site, Umahi commended the Otti administration for taking initiative in addressing critical infrastructure decay in the state. He revealed that the President's visit would not only underscore the strategic importance of the project but also highlight the synergy between federal and state governments in the area of infrastructure renewal.
“The Port Harcourt Road is a major gateway for trade and economic activity in the Southeast. What Governor Otti has done is commendable, and the Federal Government is recognizing that effort,” Umahi stated.
Sources within Government House, Umuahia, say the commissioning ceremony will be attended by a high-level delegation from the Presidency, ministers, and regional leaders, alongside community stakeholders and business owners who have long advocated for the road’s rehabilitation.
The Port Harcourt Road, once riddled with potholes, erosion, and near-impassable segments, has long been a symbol of neglect. Its transformation is being hailed as a turning point in Aba’s infrastructural revival and a fulfillment of Governor Otti’s campaign pledge to restore investor and public confidence in the city’s economic potential.
Beyond the commissioning, President Tinubu is also expected to receive briefs on ongoing federal road projects in the state and possibly unveil further plans for infrastructural support in the region.
The visit comes amid growing attention to road infrastructure across the country, especially in industrial cities like Aba, where the condition of roads directly impacts economic productivity.
