The Executive Secretary and National Coordinator of Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji has given kudos to Abia state Governor Dr. Alex Otti the ongoing infrastructural development in the state.
Speaking when he toured some project sites in Aba alongside his Board members, Dr. Orji expressed excitement at the number of roads and streets renovated in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the South East.
Dr Orji, who in the company of the stakeholders embarked on the tour after the just concluded Strategic Retreat of the Board and Management of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) in Umuahia, explained the connection between the work NEITI does and the tour they embarked upon.
“We are not politicians, we are technocrats and the connection between the work we do, and what we have seen is clear.
” Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative is about encouraging governments at federal, state, and local levels to use the revenues from oil, gas, and mining to address national development and reduce poverty.
“The Governor of Abia state has done well, in my view. I’ve seen, and this is not speculation, where I’m standing now is Port Harcourt Road, which I learned that the President of the country might be coming to commission anytime soon.
“The last time I was here, I really wept because the last time there was a connection between government and this city that I know extremely well, was Sam Mbakwe era,” Dr. Orji. stated.
Contributing, the Alternate Chairman of NEITI and member representing North Central at the board, Ambassador Sunday Adoli, appreciated the performance of the Governor.
“The Governor is doing quite well. The resources he is getting are being translated into the practical development of the state. Permit me to say that he is performing very well,” he pointed out.
Baring their minds, a Board member of NEITI and President of Miners Association of Nigeria Mr Dele Ayanleke, representative of Civil Society, Dr Erisa Danladi and Dr. Loveth Ononuga , who represents the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), commended Governor Alex Otti and rated him high, adding that what the Governor is doing translates to what they have been advocating, which is people – centered approach of governance and urged him to sustain his good works in Abia state.
The team toured certain roads, streets and markets including Port Harcourt road, Aba Owerri road , Emelogu street, Ariaria market among many others.
