By Kingsley Maduforo
Without effective leadership and good governance at all levels in private, public and civil organizations, it is arguably virtually impossible to achieve and sustain effective administration, achieve set goals, or sustain quality in the delivery of first-rate services. The increasing complexities and requirements arising from the constant change in society, coupled with the constant push for higher levels of productivity, require effective and ethical leadership. Effective and ethical leadership are the essential requirements for an organization to be considered successful in the eyes of all stakeholders. To this end, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is currently running at a high speed of developmental stride and Abians have come to appreciate his efforts towards making Abia a case study for other states in the country to emulate. Dr. Ikpeazu is not just a workman with a brand, he is a vector quantity with magnitude and direction. He is driving a revolution in Abia and the state can only but get better under him.
In its most basic form, the anatomy of leadership and good governance is a matter of character and competence. This can be seen in his drive for infrastructural development, which is a key driver for progress and critical enabler of productivity and sustainable economic growth. It also contributes significantly to human development, poverty reduction, and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs). At this time in which the state government is really serious about diversifying the state economy, one vital approach is reviving our local industries. Gov. Ikpeazu has encouraged our local industries by developing the sector through the provision of the right training, advanced equipment and right infrastructures as a way of promoting the patronage of our local products. This indeed is the best time for local industries in the state to thrive.
There is a whole new climate change in Abia State today, a kind of revolution executed by taking drastic steps aimed at providing meaningful services to the people. This is evident in Gov. Ikpeazu’s drive for infrastructural renewal and economic growth of the State. His administration has made the economic climate of the state favorable, by providing basic infrastructures, right policies. At the moment, many comatose businesses are springing back to life while new ones are sprouting on daily basis. Many businessmen have also found the need to return to Abia State.The Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMSEs) are regaining their strength because of the platform laid down for them, more specifically those in the city of Aba which is the commercial hub of the State. Abia is, indeed gaining back its lost glory because of the new political climate engendered by Gov. Ikpeazu’s administration.
The new political climate is also driving an effort at scaling up the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). To this end, there has been a drastic review of the tax system leading to a total harmonization of levies and dues authorized and collected by the State government. The state has admonished its citizens to pay to appropriate quarters approved by the government. Unfortunately, it is gathered that more than 60 percent Abia-based businesses are not in the State’s tax net. So the new drive is to ensure that Abia residents are reined into the state tax data. From this, many transactions involving the agencies and parastatals will be based on evidence of tax payment. The idea behind this is to motivate Abians to learn how to pay their tax regularly and as at when due.
Currently, the present administration in Abia State is, as always, on the front burner of making policies that affect our health sector positively. The Primary Health Care centers across the State are on the ladder of great success. The Primary Health Care (PHC) facility is often what all the rural communities have in form of a formal health system. Gov. Ikpeazu has shown his political will and commitment in the decentralization of health services, which is a key element in improving the primary health care system in the State.
The good news is that Gov. Ikpeazu has reviewed the health policy with a view to reactivating and strengthening it for greater efficiency. He also identified two tertiary health centers in each of the three senatorial zones in the state and brokered a public private hospital management firm that took over these hospitals and run them. This will positively impact our health care delivery system.
Still on health, on the 6th March, 2018, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu flagged off the 2018 Measles Vaccination Campaign at Itungwa Primary School Field, Obingwa LGA.The Governor discribed measles as a Killer disease that should be eradicated, and also urged parents to make use of the opportunity in the free vaccination exercise. The Executive Secretary, Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency disclosed that measles account for over 70% of child mortality.With the vaccination, the infection can be easily prevented, he announced.
The proactiveness of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu in our health sector is quite commendable, therefore, it is just morning for him. Gov. Ikpeazu is driving a revolution in Abia State and within less than four years in office, the State has witnessed a drastic change. Habaa, let’s vote him again come 2019 for continuity and consolidation.
Kingsley Maduforo, a Media Analyst, writes from Aba.
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