EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD
For many years, Ovom Street in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State was not merely a road. It was a growing nightmare. What started as a minor environmental concern gradually developed into a massive gully erosion site that swallowed land, fractured roads, threatened homes, and traumatized residents.
Families lived in constant fear as the earth beneath them gave way. Property owners watched helplessly as lifelong investments slipped toward destruction. Economic activities declined, movement became dangerous, and hope faded with every rainfall.
The devastation was so extensive that photographs could not fully capture its severity. The gully expanded year after year, consuming adjoining areas and endangering the entire Ovom community in Aba. Governments came and went. Promises were made with confidence. Political speeches were delivered at the very edge of the erosion site. Yet the crisis remained unresolved.
The immediate past administration, led by the self-acclaimed Nwa Aba, publicly declared readiness to fix Aba. Eight years passed, but the erosion at Ovom Street remained a painful symbol of unfulfilled commitments. While assurances were repeated, the land continued to collapse and residents continued to suffer.
*Then a decisive moment arrived*
During a church visit along Ovom Street, Governor Alex Otti encountered distressed residents who seized the opportunity to pour out their frustrations. Their voices carried years of disappointment, yet there was visible relief in his presence. Rather than offering routine sympathy, he took immediate action. He directed his team to proceed to the erosion site and personally inspected the devastation.
*That visit changed the story*
What followed was not a superficial intervention but a comprehensive and resource intensive reclamation project. Thousands of truckloads of sand were deployed in massive sand filling operations. Heavy equipment worked tirelessly to stabilize the land. Structural engineering measures were implemented to permanently halt further degradation. The dangerous gullies were filled, reinforced, and secured. Ovom Street and adjoining roads were reconstructed and asphalted, restoring safety, accessibility, and confidence.
*This was purposeful leadership in action*
The Ovom Erosion Control project now stands as one of the most significant infrastructural rescues in recent years within Abia State. What was once a death trap has been transformed into a safe and motorable corridor that supports economic and social activities. Homes that once faced imminent collapse are now protected. Businesses that slowed due to fear and inaccessibility are regaining stability. The environment has been secured not only for present residents but for future generations.
Governor Otti’s intervention did more than rehabilitate a road. It corrected years of neglect. It prevented further loss of lives and property. It restored connectivity within Aba North and the entire commercial city. Most importantly, it rebuilt public trust in governance.
As the Governor commissions the project today (Wednesday 25th February, 2026), the symbolism is profound. Ovom Street is no longer a reminder of abandonment. It is now evidence of decisive and compassionate leadership. It reflects a broader transformation unfolding across Aba and the entire state through quiet reforms, strategic investments, and measurable results.
Governor Otti has demonstrated that transformation does not require noise. It requires vision, courage, discipline, and commitment. By confronting the Ovom erosion menace directly and committing substantial resources to its permanent resolution, he has safeguarded homes, restored dignity, and renewed hope among Abians.
Today, residents who walk and drive along the reclaimed Ovom Street see more than a reconstructed road. They see protection. They see progress. They see a future secured.
Across Abia, there is a growing conviction that the state is in safe hands and steadily advancing toward 2031 with stability, infrastructure development, and restored confidence.
– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Public Affairs.