Tinubu Commissions The Michael Okpara Auditorium, Porthacourt Road and 6 Other Roads In Abia

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, October 3, 2025 commissioned 7 roads in Aba which were constructed by the administration of Governor Alex Otti. The President was represented by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi who was welcomed by the Abia State Governor and other members of the state government at Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Owerri, Imo State.

The commissioning first started at the state capital, Umuahia with the long forgotten Micheal Okpara Auditorium which has been a signature for the state’s official activities but was long abandoned. Governor Alex Otti in May, 2025 assured Abians that the auditorium will be restored to its glory. Along side this, the new water front at Micheal Okpara square was also commissioned which was a touch of beauty to the environment and a signal of new beginning.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, while speaking on the projects at Umuahia, expressed his immense happiness at the success rate of the projects.

“I lived and worked here in Umuahia. The water project, I was part and parcel of it as a young engineer. And I know how that route was, all the way from the tower going to Umuahia.

“But today, I saw a miracle taking place. And I thought that was a miracle. But when I crossed the tower, I saw a more miraculous, you know, infrastructure.

“I’m told that we are going to be seeing wonders. Some are federal projects constructed by the Governor; others are state projects. But projects, whether they are federal or state, the important thing is to touch the lives of the people of our state”, Umahi said.

“And it’s right that the President is there, that’s why he has asked me to stand in for him and to commission the numerous projects”, the Minister disclosed.

He urged the people to emulate the Late Dr Michael Okpara’s style in politics, adding that the late Okpara reintegrated the people of the South East to the government at the Centre.

“I was with the President and he said something that touched me so much. He has respect for His Excellency the late Michael Okpara.

“He said to me, Dave, ask your people to play the kind of politics that His Excellency the late Michael Okpara played. He played in the centre. He integrated the people of South-East to the centre. That’s what he told me.

“And I’m happy that he’s been honoured by the reason of this edifice being renovated in his name”, Umahi said.

From Umuahia, the officials went to the commercial capital of the state- Aba, where a grand welcome ceremony was held at Enyinmba Stadium which followed the commissioning of 7 major roads in the city of Aba.

The event at Enyinmba stadium had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Abia State, The commissioner of works, the speakers house of assembly representing Abia State at both state and federal levels, traditional rulers and the masses in their numbers.

One of the major highlights in Aba was the commissioning of Porthacourt Road; a road which has been left dead for more than 20 years by previous administration but was brought back to life by the present administration through the expertise of German construction company- Julius Berger.

While speaking to Kristina Reports, a tricycle rider”, Dike Ihejuru who expressed his joy and happiness over Ohanku Road and Porthacourt Road said both roads have not been motorable in years.

“Porthacourt road and Ohanku before, were no go area. You can stand from far and be seeing the bushes and trees that have grown in the center of a major road in Aba. Past administrations have neglected it.

In fact, as a keke rider, it is an impossible mission to go to porthacourt road. But now, Our Governor has fixed it to the best standard. This is the best this road has seen in over 20 years and I am very happy to witness this. I believe others too are happy.”

The projects commissioned by the President represented by the Minster of Works today are: Gabriel Nwosu Road, Nkoro, Porthacourt Road, Oboiha, Ohanku, Umuatako Road, Ndoki Road and the Pepple’s Roads, The water Front at Micheal Okpara Square and the newly renovated Micheal Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

However, there are mixed reactions from the people of Abia State following President Tinubu’s decline to visit the state in person. This is the second time in 2025 the president has declined the invitation of the governor of the state to commission projects. First was in June, 2025 when 13 roads in the state were commissioned and again in October, 2025.