Abia State Governor Alex Otti announced 20 electric buses for the state transport system within two months and highlighted his administration’s $22 million completion of Port Harcourt Road, a project the previous government failed to deliver despite spending $29 million

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced ambitious plans to revolutionise the state’s public transport system with the introduction of 20 electric buses within the next two months.

Also read: Abia State in turmoil as Governor Alex Otti imposes tax on church signposts

This revelation came during a thanksgiving carnival organised by the Aba community at Umuagbai Secondary School, Port Harcourt Road, celebrating the successful reconstruction of the long-abandoned road.

Governor Otti informed the appreciative crowd that bus terminals are currently under construction across the state to support the new transport system.

“In the next two months, not more than two months, our transport system will start working,” he declared. “We have paid for the 20 electric buses.

So, they are bringing the buses to carry you and me, and the buses will be beautiful.” He emphasised the modern nature of the buses, stating, “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.”

During his address, Governor Otti also used the occasion to highlight his administration’s fiscal prudence in completing the Port Harcourt Road, a project abandoned for over three decades.

In 2025, $22m was spent and a standard road is done and delivered for use

He contrasted his government’s expenditure with that of the immediate-past administration, revealing a stark difference in cost and outcome.

“In 2017, they awarded this Port Harcourt Road. The amount at that time was N9.8bn and they paid out the entire money. But the road was not done,” Governor Otti recounted.

He then provided a detailed financial breakdown to counter “noisy opposition” criticisms regarding the current project cost.

“In 2025, the road cost N36.5bn, they started making noise. So, I said, since you people understand mathematics, the average exchange rate in 2017 was N333 to a Dollar. Now, if you apply that, the N9.8bn was actually $29m (equivalent).”

He continued, illustrating his government’s efficiency: “In 2025, at the average exchange rate of N1,600, N36.5bn is actually $22.8m equivalent. S

o, let us do the mathematics. $29m and $22m, which is higher? The real issue is that in 2017, $29m was spent, and no road was done. In 2025, $22m was spent and a standard road is done and delivered for use.”

The Governor expressed gratitude to the Aba people for their consistent support since his first gubernatorial contest in 2015.

In a notable gesture, he rewarded a Keke (tricycle) driver in Aba with N1.4 million for his honesty in returning N2.4 million forgotten by a passenger.

Senator Darlington Nwokocha and the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, both commended Governor Otti’s achievements in Aba and the state, describing them as a testament to focused leadership.

Also read: Abia Governor Alex Otti plans to demolish multi-billion naira government house amidst economic crisis

Representatives of the Aba business community and the Aba Landlord’s Association, including Chief David Onuoha, Chief Leo Okoye, Chief Alphonsus Odigbo, and carnival convener Chief Onyeka Udeajah, lauded the governor, particularly highlighting the completed Port Harcourt Road as a landmark achievement.