By Kingsley Maduforo
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State is the fourth democratically elected governor of the state. Like every other governor, Dr. Ikpeazu, upon assumption of office was faced with many battles; even the expectations of the populace were high. But five years down, many expectations have been met and victories recorded. Abia State before Ikpeazu faced major challenges with regards to both social and economic development. The infrastructural decay in the State, especially Aba, the ancient and commercial city of the state was a story never to be told. All the major roads in the state were in comatose, the state was waiting to explode.
Before the arrival of Ikpeazu into the scene, Aba, which by every means is the commercial centre for eastern Nigeria, was plagued with certain lack of direction to steer its wonderful craftsmen to the peak of their career. Aba has all the indices. Aba has all the human capital, the creativity and the will-power of Aba man to succeed have never been in doubt, but the challenge has always remained leadership.
But five years down the line, Gov. Ikpeazu has turned the tide dramatically, demonstrating a high level of quality leadership in managing the affairs of the state and providing adequate infrastructure to fastrack the economic growth of the state. The economic blueprint of Gov. Ikpeazu, has helped stimulate growth across the sectors of the state’s economy. Abia state economic pulse has quickened, infusing both local and international markets with new economic policies laid down by the present administration.
Five years of Gov. Ikpeazu have changed the political climate of the state and have provided a continuous reorientation of citizens towards people in governance, creating an atmosphere of peace and security for development to strive.
What has changed? The continuous earth-moving equipnment like the catapillars, bulldozers of Gov. Ikpeazu, moving from one road to another, addressing the dilapidated road network across the state and with much focus on Aba, the ancient and commercial city which is a strategic road-map towards total recovery. The Ikpeazu road revolution no doubt has turned the state into a huge construction site while delivering his mandate.
Gov. Ikpeazu, has raised the bar in quality by introducing the rigid pavement technology into the lexicon of road construction in the state. The govermor is suffering from building to last project syndrome, providing a reliable and affordable road transport system for its citizens. He accorded road construction on the catalogue of developmental project of his administration.
In five years, Abians have witnessed the delivery of over 67 completed roads spread across the three senatorial zones of the state, plus the construction of the first ever Abia Interchange (flyover), since the creation of the state, at Osisioma, Aba.
The change of Gov. Ikpeazu to Abians remains the testimonies of residents living at Chima Nwafor Road, Ehere Road, Owerri Road off Okigwe Road, Aba, Ugwuezi Road, Abiriba, Ochefu Road, Udeagbala Road, Park Road, Aba, Road 2 Lowcost Housing Estate, Umuahia, Umuoba – Umunne’s link road lsiala – Ngwa South, Faulks Road, Kamalu Road, MCC Road, Aba, Umuola Road, Ovom street Aba, Aba Road, Umuahia, Osusu Road, etc., and the ongoing road construction of Opobo Road, Immaculate, Aba Owerri Road, Osisioma deport- Ekeakpara Road, will soon join in the list of conquered roads.
The 27. 4 Billion Naira project for the reconstruction of Ngwa rd, Uratta rd, Port Harcourt rd, Obohia and Ohanku rd, will commence in few weeks and because of its economic importance, when these roads are fixed, the benefit will be enormous.
Rural and urban electrification is another remarkable achievement of Gov. Ikpeazu in his five years in office. The donation of 40 units of 300 KVA 33/11 transformers to 40 communities in the 17 LGA’s and more of such will be distributed because of the industrialization agenda of the present administration. In support and boost of MSMEs in the state, more than 1000 shops in Ariaria International market are enjoying steady power supply, through the partnership between Abia state and Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government.
In the third quarter of 2017, Gov. Ikpeazu flagged off the building of 4 model schools and 132 classroom blocks across the three senatorial zones of the state. With each of the model schools having ten classroom blocks, a library, laboratory, teachers’ quarters, sick bay, 5 secondary and 3 primary classroom blocks, solar-powered water borewhole, perimeter fence and headmaster’s quarters and right now the project is completed and standing.
This is aimed at providing quality education and a conducive learning environment for Abia children. The present administration has always described qualitative education as a sure way of building human capacity and a bedrock for sustainable development in the state.
To be continued
Kingsley Maduforo , writes from Umuahia.