The newly sworn in Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has assured residents and indigenes of the commitment of his administration to face what he described as the onerous task ahead of him and his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu.

Otti, speaking after being administered with the oath of office as the fifth democratically elected governor at Umuahia Township Stadium, Umuahia, by the Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Agbai, noted that the challenge ahead of his administration was enormous owning to the rot “I was bequeathed to by my predecessor.”

He said his administration would be felt in all sectors, including education, agriculture, health, technology, trade and commerce, among others.

Otti declared a state of emergency on refuse disposal in Aba.

He said with him coming on board, ‘godfatherism’, which had done more harm than good to the state, had become a thing of the past.

“Our tradition forbids the spilling of blood, destruction of public or private property and hostility towards the innocent and vulnerable. We shall be guided by this age-old tradition of our people, while pursuing progress and development on all fronts.”  

“Whether you are a teacher in a primary or secondary school owned by the state, a staff of the public health establishments, local government, or work in the judiciary, you shall, beginning from this May, earn your legitimate entitlements as and when due. From June, all salary and pension obligations of the state will be settled by the 28th of every month. My commitment during my campaigns to pay off all outstanding salary and pension arrears remains sacrosanct.” 

Source: The Nation