By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA — The Nigerian Air Force has acquired 200 hectares of land for the establishment of a training base in Abia State, Governor Alex Otti disclosed during a media briefing in Umuahia. The facility is set to be located near the proposed Abia airport site, with a temporary site already prepared in Umuahia to commence operations next month.
Otti said the Air Force requested the land following an inspection of the airport project, a request he approved promptly. He expressed satisfaction with progress on the airport runway, noting that the state government is handling the runway construction while the Federal Government is responsible for delivering the main airport infrastructure.
The governor ruled out any plan to relocate the Government House from its current location, adding that discussions are underway with investors to convert the new Government House at Ogurube Layout, built by his predecessor Okezie Ikpeazu, into a five-star hotel. “The Government House is more ideal where it is. It is not moving,” he said, noting that renovation works at the old Government House aim to upgrade it to befitting standards.
Otti highlighted that his administration currently has over 30 ongoing projects across the state, reaffirming his commitment to sustained infrastructural development. He announced the completion of the remaining stretch of the 67.44km Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Abriba–Ohafia road, describing it as a key arterial route in Abia.
Addressing misinformation by opposition parties, the governor clarified that the state does not receive federal reimbursement for reconstructing federal roads, emphasizing that such interventions are driven by the need to improve road conditions for residents. “The only way a state can recoup investment on federal roads is through tolling. But we are not considering that. There is no reimbursement at all,” he said.
On housing, Otti stated that the government has no immediate plan to regulate rising rents, attributing the surge to increased demand and optimism that prices will stabilize as more investors enter the sector. He also ruled out electricity subsidies, arguing that reliable power supply is more beneficial than subsidized inefficiency. “It is cheaper to pay for 24-hour electricity than to pay for darkness,” he added.
The governor further announced plans to expand digital connectivity across the state, with a target to achieve statewide 3G network coverage by the end of 2026 to enhance internet access.
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