#AbiaOnline
by Ubani Newman Ubani
I have been queried by a lot of people as to why this or that road is being constructed instead of some other one. The truth remains that all the roads cannot be worked on at the same time and even if the Governor wanted to take on the reconstruction of all the roads same time, the present economic situation of the nation would not allow for it to be feasible. It is against this backdrop that I have decided to make some clarifications on the strategy being employed by the Ikpeazu-led administration to tackle road construction projects especially in Aba.
Going forward, it is important to note that upon Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s assumption of office, Aba, with a road network of about 4000 roads, was a shadow of itself. But the indefatigable Governor swung into action by declaring state-of-emergency on road construction which has metamorphosed into the new-look Aba becoming a maasive, gigantic construction site of simultaneous gigantic road construction and commissioning projects.
The importance of good and durable road networks in an emerging economy such as Nigeria’s cannot be overemphasised. Apart from ensuring a hitch-free transit of humans, goods and services using automobiles, which invariably serves as a catalyst for sustainable growth and development, understanding the imperative of functional road network infrastructure in a commercial- and entrepreneurial-based economy as Aba and Abia State at large to the internal revenue generation of the State puts to rest any possible agitation as to the commitment of government to good governance. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has defied contemporary economic theories based on projections of the relatively infinitesimal federal allocations accruable to the State in recent times to unleash infrastructural development for his people. The people-oriented projects that crisscross the nooks and crannies of God’s Own State is an inalienable testimony to the astuteness of Mr. Governor as the manager of our commonwealth. It should therefore not be surprising that the massive road reconstruction projects in Aba, Umuahia and across Abia are embarked upon by reputable construction companies.
It is needful to mention that Governor Ikpeazu has demonstrated a rarity in leadership acumen by his development-centric approach to wielding political power where projects are mirrored from the prism of economic importance and social welfare to the low and middle class of Abians across the political spectrum. Governor Ikpeazu is worthy of adulation for giving a big boost to our collective dream of attaining self-sufficiency and quality pricing of our local content, as encapsulated in the “Made in Aba” support campaign which has received unprecedented patronage even at the national stage. With the ripple effect of making social amenities to be equitably accessible to the poor masses and improvement of their standard of living, Governor Ikpeazu is on the path to becoming legendary.
How is the score-card of Governor Ikpeazu on road infrastructural development? The notable Aba-Owerri road in Aba is a major entry and exit route with heavy vehicular movements and strategic economic and commercial importance. There is no gainsaying the fact that the work done there is of the highest industry standards. What about the myriad of roads that have long borne the burden of heavy traffic gridlock? The ebullient and assiduous Governor Ikpeazu has surpassed the loftiest expectations of political cynics by successfully completing the following road projects to decongest the city of Aba: Owerri road, Umuocham road, Tonimas-Umuehilegbu road, Umuojima-Chima Nwafor road, Umule road, Kamanu road, and Ommeni road, to mention but a few.
The phenomenal road construction of Faulks road through Brass road to the Ariaria International Market up to the Enugu–Port-Harcourt expressway is fast approaching completion. Following this systematic pattern of road construction, the Umuatako-St. Paul road which also connects Faulks road is undergoing reconstruction. Already, the residents of Aba can heave a sigh of relief as the intense traffic lock jam which had long characterized the Aba-Owerri road has ceased to be a daily, frequent occurrence.
The successful completion of the reconstruction of other roads of huge vehicular traffic at the outskirts of the city-centre of Aba has in no small measure complemented the efforts of ameliorating the traffic burden of the city-centre. For instance, the rehabilitation of the terribly dilapidated roads such as Ukaegbu road, Umuola road, Emelogu road, and Ehere road has eased the pressure off the Waterside/Ogbor-Hill road, which serves as a major link into the city-centre. Similarly, the burden of surmounting the challenge of heavy traffic jam in the city-centre of Aba will be drastically reduced with the ongoing reconstruction of the following roads: Ibere road, Aharandu road, Onyebuchi road, and Ibadan road.
Conclusively, all roads constructed by the Governor Ikpeazu-led administration have followed a strategic plan based on economic priority and not on sundry sentiments. This gives credit to the political will of Governor Ikpeazu to follow through on his campaign promises. No wonder the present administration has continued to garner accolades from not just the private sector and civil society groups but also from fellow political associates across party divides. It behoves on the good people of Abia State to continue to support the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu so as to sustain the tide of optimizing the dividends of democracy.
In fact, the wide acceptability and untainted authenticity of the programmes, projects and policies of the present administration gives legitimacy to the power of the people to choose their leaders in the process of free, fair and credible elections.
Support Governor Okezie Ikpeazu!
Project Abia State positively!!
Contribute in building Abia!!!
God bless us all.
#NewAbia
Ubani Newman Ubani is the Senior Special Assistant (Gov.) on New Media.
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