Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has sympathised with residents affected by the recent floods. He also expressed worries over rising accommodation rents, particularly in Aba and Umuahia metropolises.

Governor Otti, who stated these during the July edition of his monthly media chat held at Government House, Umuahia, said efforts are being made to remedy these anomalies.

The governor said his government remains committed to investing in durable drainage infrastructure.

“We are building drainage channels that will quickly take floodwater off our roads. Our goal is to permanently solve the flooding problem,” he said.

On housing, Otti expressed worries over rising rents in Aba and Umuahia metropolis, blaming increased demand for accommodation as the contributory factor for higher rental costs.

However, he announced that the state government would soon flag off the construction of the Pocket Layout project in Umuahia, to help bridge the housing gap.

The governor announced that the latest 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index released recently has ranked Abia State under his leadership the third most improved state.

Otti attributed Abia state’s rise in the ranking index to his administration’s sustained investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure and governance, observing that the latest ranking showed that the government’s reforms were beginning to make a noticeable impact on the lives of Abians.

“You will recall between 2023 and 2024, our state was rated number 36, and in 2025, we moved from 36 to number 10.

“And with the current report, we are number three, closely following Jigawa, which came second, and Enugu which came first”.

Otti equally disclosed that Abia State topped the charts in the maternal and infant mortality rate in the 2026 first quarter report released recently in Nigeria.

He revealed the health sector has recorded one of the administration’s biggest successes, particularly in reducing maternal and infant mortality, while enrolment into the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme has continued to grow. (Saturday Sun)