THE BEST WAY TO ASSESS GOVERNOR IKPEAZU

 
Ubani Newman Ubani(UNU)
#AbiaOnline
In a given democratic set up, everybody is entitled to his own opinion. While some say the truth, others swear not to say the truth or see anything good from the leadership of the political party such a person is opposing.
Yesterday, an online blogger, my friend and brother, Iroegbu Emenike made a post on his platform captioned: INSIGHT: ASSESSING GOV. OKEZIE IKPEAZU. I am very sure that he innocently made that post to assess public opinion on the revolutionary leadership style of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
After reading the posts, I decided that it was time for me to watch Abians share their views instead of getting involved and I wasn’t disappointed. As comments dropped one after another, many commended the unprecedented performance of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, saying they’ve never seen such in Abia before, while very few gullible one erroneously raised some issues about different shades of opinion regarding the achievements of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in these three years he has being at the helm of affairs in Abia State.
I was really amused at the level of ignorance portrayed by the few commentators whose interest revolved around salary payment – of course a well know “national challenge” which will “soon’ become a thing of the past in Abia. However, it becomes imperative to correct the impression and ignorance portrayed by this few individuals and to put things in rightful perspectives.
In all honesty, if any one wants to asses an administration, such person should carry out the accessment based on the individual’s or administration’s promises manifestoe. So, a good and well intended assessment of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu should be based on what he told Abians that he would do for them during his campaign, which made them to vote him in. It is only through his promises that one can really say that Governor Ikpeazu is successful or not. After all success is measured by a set objectives and not by someone’s personal thinking.
So, it is absolutely wrong for one to wake up in the morning and begin to say that the Governor has “performed far below average or has failed completely” without showing the perimeter that was used for such judgement.
Well, just as asserted earlier, everyone has the freedom to express his feelings, however, it would be for good of all Abians, if our opinions are expressed without bias but with the intent to make government sit up in carrying out its responsibilities.
Anyone who wishes to assess Governor Ikpeazu should do more that based on his five pillars of development and its enablers, including agriculture, Commerce & Industry, Infrastructure, Education. Health, SMEs , Security, Oil & gas, Environment among others.
Of course, a careful assessment based on the above promises would convince every doubting Thomas that Governor Ikpeazu is never a failure nor has he performed below average. His projects and achievements in agriculture, road infrastructure, education , environment, SMEs and Commerce and industry as well health are scattered all over Abia State and would continue to speak for him.
On the issue of holistic administration and considering workers welfare, no government can claim to have done everything. The Governor has accepted that he has not done everything expected of him, but certainly he has done much. His decision to pay serious attention in Aba was based on the fact that if Aba is fixed, revenue realised from Aba would be used to do other things in the State. This decision is yielding fruits.
It is worthy to note that the Governor did not abandon school system, he has renovated many schools and built model schools. As a son of a teacher and teacher himself, he has big dreams for his colleagues in the teaching profession, hence he ensured that teachers in the State suspend their industrial action and schools resumed academic activities. The Governor is committed to the welfare of teachers and hopes that soon, teachers salaries should not be an issue again. If he can reward teachers with cars, brought Australia experts to train them, what else would he not do for them? He would sustain the good relationship with them.
It is very wrong to compare Abia with other States. Each State has its own challenges. For instance, Abia has the highest number of workforce in the Southeast and pay highest in salaries.
Everyone is free to make enquiries.
In spite of all temptations, the Governor has refused to downsize the workforce, because of his love for workers. Doing that would give him a smaller number of the workforce to be paying.
After all Abia money is for entire Abia people not just for workers.
For those who criticize the Ikpeazu led government for committing huge amount of money in fixing Faulks road Aba. It is pertinent to remind them that successive administrations in the State have done all they could to fix the Ukwumago-Ariaria-Faulks road, all to no avail. Gov. Ikpeazu invited experts who took time to study the road and came up with lasting solution.
One can take out time to visit Ifeobara basin, Faulks road, Ariaria and Ukwumago to see things for himself.
Whatever amount it would cost us to regain the road worth it. Ikpeazu is known with quality and he would not compromise quality. It is better to fix it one and for all. At this time in Abia, people should not allow themselves to be deceived, the administration wants Abia people and residents not to be deceived by those who don’t love the progress in the State. Always go and see things by yourself and take decisions on what to believe.
 

KA ONYE NWE ANYI GOZIE ANYI N’ILE
UNU