Otti Commissions Ugwu Primary Healthcare Centre, Promises Inclusive Development

In a significant boost to rural healthcare delivery in Abia State, Governor Alex Otti on Friday commissioned the newly completed Ugwu Primary Healthcare Centre in Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area, vowing to sustain his administration’s commitment to inclusive development and health equity.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the premises of the health centre and followed by a community engagement at the Practising School, Uzuakoli, attracted community leaders, political stakeholders, and residents, who turned out in large numbers to witness what many described as a new dawn for primary healthcare in the area.

Governor Otti, in his address, described the project as a symbol of government’s responsiveness to the needs of rural communities.

“This project is not just a building; it represents our commitment to health equity and to ensuring that no community is left behind,” the governor said.

“It is one of five new primary healthcare centres we are commissioning across Abia State as part of a broader push to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.”

Reflecting on the journey so far, Otti noted that the past 24 months of his administration have been defined by restoration of public confidence, responsible governance, and a deliberate shift in leadership ethos.

“Our biggest pride in the last two years is not just the infrastructure we’ve built or the policies we’ve implemented, but the fact that people are beginning to believe in government again,” he said.

“That trust is the bedrock upon which we are building a new Abia.”

He stressed that while projects like road reconstruction, healthcare centres, and regular payment of salaries and pensions are tangible, they are products of a deeper governance philosophy anchored on transparency, responsiveness, and accountability.

During the event, Governor Otti also welcomed new political entrants into the Labour Party, including Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, the member representing Bende North in the Abia State House of Assembly, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Dr. K. Ezala from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Their decision to join us is a testament to the growing belief in the vision and performance of this administration,” Otti said, calling on all stakeholders to unite in the interest of development, irrespective of political affiliation.

He also outlined ongoing projects across the state, including the 67.6-kilometre Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abriba-Ohafia road, now renamed after Christian Joe Irukwe, which he described as a critical infrastructure linking agrarian communities to economic hubs.

“This road is not just a path—it’s a corridor for growth, a lifeline for farmers and traders, and a strategic asset to drive local GDP and economic inclusion,” he said.

Turning attention to technological development, Otti revealed that the state is pursuing electricity self-sufficiency, especially around the Umuahia-Ring Road corridor, through initiatives led by the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ACERA).

He also announced upcoming partnerships for fibre optic cable installations, aimed at improving digital connectivity statewide.

On security, the governor condemned the vandalism of public infrastructure by scrap metal dealers. He issued a stern warning to communities.

“We will hold communities accountable if they allow these criminals to destroy what belongs to all of us. It is no longer acceptable to claim ignorance while state assets are being plundered.”

The event also marked the inauguration of the Uzuakoli chapter of “Abia Arise”, a non-partisan grassroots mobilisation platform focused on civic accountability, leadership development, and citizen engagement.

The governor urged residents to embrace the platform as a way to deepen participatory governance.

“Whether we are flagging off a new project or commissioning a completed one, you can rest assured that this administration is committed to touching every corner of Abia. Development must be fair, inclusive, and people-focused,” Otti concluded.

The Uzuakoli event was part of a larger statewide commissioning tour where the Otti-led administration unveiled 23 completed projects, comprising 18 roads and five healthcare centres, across multiple local government areas.

Otti Commissions Ugwu Primary Healthcare Centre, Promises Inclusive Development is first published on The Whistler Newspaper