The Abia State government has refuted claims that Governor Alex Otti ordered the arrest of individuals who participated in a peace talk concerning the ongoing Port Harcourt Road rehabilitation project in Aba.
The governor’s spokesperson, Dodoh Okafor, emphasized that Otti did not issue any arrest orders related to events before or after the rehabilitation project’s flag-off.
Okafor clarified that the majority of Abia residents, regardless of cultural or religious affiliations, support the governor’s decision to rehabilitate the dilapidated Port Harcourt Road.
He dismissed social media reports alleging the arrest of young people and elders who attended peace talks in Umuahia, stating that such claims were unfounded and a product of imagination.
The statement highlighted the historical significance of Port Harcourt Road as a vital hub for heavy-duty machinery sales and repair until its collapse in the mid-1990s. The administration stressed that the road’s neglect by previous governments had resulted in substantial economic losses for the city, including missed job opportunities and revenue.
The government expressed disbelief that anyone would oppose the efforts to fix the road and address perennial flooding issues in Aba. It affirmed the commitment to rebuilding and restoring public infrastructure, dismissing reports of protests and arrests as untrue and attempts to create discord.
The statement concluded by assuring the public of the administration’s dedication to development and resilience against detractors aiming to sow division.
