GOVERNOR IKPEAZU’S MEDIA TOUR: IT’S SUCCESS AND IMPLICATIONS

 
By Kingsley Maduforo
The geniue effort of the present administration in Abia State led by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in providing good governance backed up with being transparent and accountable to the citizens cannot be over emphasised. The Governor has always been on the front burner, showing his political will and commitment to place the state on the ladder of investment destination in the country. Dr. Ikpeazu upon assumption of office made infrastructural development his capital project because he believed and still believes that the problem of infrastructure must be tackled for there to be any prosperity in the state. These capital projects which include good road network, a stable financial system, energy and communication support, production and marketing. The quality of infrastructure in the state has affected the growth of economic activities in the State.
Indeed Gov. Ikpeazu’s effort as well as success in tackling the menace of bad roads in Abia State with his now famous Caterpillar Revolution has raised the bar in quality of built roads through the introduction of the rigid pavement technology, also known as cement technology into the lexicon of road construction in the State. In Abia State today, Abians now have a reliable and affordable road transport system and this has formed part of the social safety net, which has enabled trade, increased employment opportunities in both urban and rural communities and facilitated the movement of goods and services across all sectors of the economy including: tourism, education, health and agriculture. The consideration of all these facts and the benefits they bring, explains why Gov. Ikpeazu is according priority to our road network in the catalogue of developmental projects by the government in order to transform the living condition of Abia citizens.
Notwithstanding the economic downturn biting hard on the country and the two years of legal distraction of Gov. Ikpeazu, the Governor has laid a solid foundation that is serving as a springboard for the rapid development of the state. This has led to his being termed a ‘Silent Achiever’. His transparent attitude in handling the affairs of governing Abia State has been vital to the highly accelerated economic and social development of the state.
Good governance is an integral part of rule of law, equity and accountability in exercising political, economic and administrative authority while accountability ensures that all governmental institutions are accountable to public. It is on this premise that Gov. Ikpeazu invited the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, members of the National Assembly who are from Abia State, members of the Abia State House of Assembly, the Clergy, Traditional Rulers, Head of Media Houses in the country and other government officials for a three days tour/inspection of completed and on-going projects across the State.
Before the present administration came on board, Abia State has had a checkered past when it comes to transparency and accountability. This prompted Gov. Ikpeazu to change the political climate of the state as well as the mentality of its citizens towards people in government. The people in government should be transparent and accountable to the people, and this is the bedrock of Gov. Ikpeazu’s leadership style. The objectives of the Governor are based on the underlying principles of commitment to good governance, and the maintenance of these standard principles is fundamental to the creation of an environment conducive to investment and a long-term economic and infrastructural growth of the State.
The project tour train of the Governor kicked off from Abia State PDP secretariat and made a stop at the Investment House in Umuahia. The idea behind Abia Investment House is to take every business concerns and enquiries into consideration. The Investment House is housing every government regular agencies: NAFDAC, SON, NIPC, NEXIM BANK, etc., that help to facilitate the registration of new businesses, investment in Abia State, accessing loans and other related issues. This one-stop business destination in Abia which is made a level playing ground has therefore been created. The train moved to Umuda Erosion control in Umuahia North, which was enough attraction for our visitors. Aba road in Umuahia was another point of call. This project which has contributed in beautifying the state capital is being handled by Arab Contractors and they are doing a superlative work on the road.
The Multi-Skill Development Center, Umuobiakwa was another destination of the project tour train of Gov. Ikpeazu. The project which is in Obingwa LGA has provided employment for a good number of youths. They fabricate streetlight poles, iron gates, chairs, tables and other wooden materials. They are also into bricks making for building and construction. The train later reached Umuaro – Umuanunu – Ekwereazu – Ikot Ekpene Road. Presently, the contractor is asphalting the remaining part of the road which his key to Abia economy and also serves as a direct link to Ikot – Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State.
The 10km Umuobiakwa – Owo – Onichangwa Road in Obingwa LGA was another major project site visited. The project is taking shape and work is in accelerated speed. Another brief stop was also made at Ururuka Road which is progressing rapidly. Ururuka is in Obingwa and serves as a direct entrance to Umuahia through Ogbor hill. The road is popularly called Old Umuahia Road. Other roads visited in Aba and its environs include: Ehere, Umuola, Ukeagbu, Faulks Roads, Ifeobara, and over twenty other roads that were visited on the first day.
On the second day, the train of Gov. Ikpeazu made a visit to Umuojima – Owerrinta and Umuocheala – Ihie Roads in Isialangwa LGA. Not only does these roads have economic importance, they also have a link to three tertiary institutions and serve as a short route to the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri.
The socioeconomic development and subseequent economic growth of Abia State is strongly linked to the level of growth in the Agricultural sector. Agro-business can effectively drive the socioeconomic development of the State without an eye on crude oil. The effort of Gov. Ikpeazu in the agricultural sector is yielding fruits. The project tour of the Governor landed at Poultry Clusters in Nsulu off Ururuka road to Osisioma Palm Nursery Farm that has over 4 million tenera palm seedlings species at Ahiaba Umueze. And on the second day, a visit to Abia Mushroom Farm at the Ministry of Agriculture, headquarters in Umuahia was made. It is on record that the State has trained a large number of youths on Mushrooms farming. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Uzor Azubuike led the team around.
Finally, the implications remain that Gov. Ikpeazu is the man to beat come 2019. His achievements speak volume and whosoever that must beat him, must show Abians their scorecard. The magic man is on the speed lane towards addressing the infrastructural challenges in the State, particularly in the ancient city of Aba which provides the largest market for the South-East and South-South and also serves as the SMEs capital of Nigeria. Infrastructural renewal is the only antidote and it can only get better under Gov. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
Kingsley Maduforo, a Media Analyst, writes from Aba.