by Kingsley Maduforo
”If you have roads, you have wealth” says Mr. Weng Mengyong, Chinese Minister of Transport.
The above statement sounds literally true because national target for growth and poverty reduction rely heavily on effective road transport network. The inability to access goods and services because of poor or bad road network is an element of social exclusion which propels abject poverty. Therefore Mr. Mengyong’s statement could be rephrased: ‘if you have good road, you have wealth.’
The socio-economic development and growth of any nation is strongly lined to its road infrastructure. Lack of good and adequate road network is one of the major factors that hamper development. This was the case with Abia State before the coming of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. This problem was most visible in Aba, the commercial heartbeat of the State. Truly, Aba has the capability to effectively drive the socio-economic development of Abia State, but it has been limited by bad road network both within the city and those roads that connect it to other states.
The level and quality of road infrastructure in any state is of crucial significance in influencing political, economic and social progress and this must be considered at all the stages of local, regional and national developmental plan. It is therefore always difficult to have socially inclusive developmental interventions in the absence of good roads. In Abia State, the condition of the federal roads within the State and those that connect it to neighbouring states is a specific area of serious concern because it poses a great limitation over the growth and development of the State. Thanks be to God that a Man of the People has come to address the situation and suffering of the people of Abia.
Governor Ikpeazu is on the speed lane towards reconstructing some federal roads in Aba such as Ikot Ekpene and Port Harcourt Roads which serve as alternative links to our neighbouring States of Akwa Ibom and Rivers and which were abandoned by the previous administration both at the Federal and State levels. Federal road presence in Abia State is not only insufficient but also either in a very poor condition or totally impassable especially during rainy season, where they exist. Aba-Azumini-Iwukem and Port Harcourt Roads for instance, are in a state of disrepair, neglect and above all look more like a wide network of pools of water and mud. This has resulted into suffering and difficulty in the transportation of goods and services especially for those who ply these roads. This has also started the growth and development of the entire State.
The present administration under the able leadership of Gov. Ikpeazu has nevertheless made significant effort, even progress in improving the condition of roads in the State. This is evident in the increase in the amount allocated to the sector since the beginning of his administration.
The reconstruction of federal and state roads would bring many benefits such as: improved access to social infrastructure, increased access to education and health facilities, improved social interaction and mobility and great ease in the movement of goods and services with Abia and its neighbouring States. It would also have a great impact on the socio-economic development of the State, improved access to market through a reduction in the cost of transportation as well as improved ‘marketability’ of Made-in-Aba goods.
In view of the numerous benefits accruable through good road network, Gov. Ikpeazu has accorded priority to state roads as well as two federal roads in the catalogue of developmental projects that would be carried out by his administration in order to alleviate and transform the condition of living of Abia citizens. Gov. Ikpeazu is truly committed to the good cause of transforming Abia economy through the equitable geographic distribution of developmental projects such as road construction because he knows that good roads connect business centres, regions and states. This would bring about seamless movement within the State, even to and from Aba, its commercial hub. This would consequently transform into increased revenue generation and economic growth.
Although virtual connectivity has become increasingly important today with the emergence of various new media of communication yet, a good and reliable road network remains vital especially in the transportation of goods and services. There is a positive correlation between a state’s economic development and the quality of its road network. This can be said to be the mindset of Gov. Ikpeazu owing to his road infrastructural revolution within just two years in office. He has succeeded in reducing the distance between places, people, markets, goods and services through the provision of good roads within the State. This is part of what economic growth is all about.
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