by Ubani Newman Ubani
Driving along Owerri road by Okigwe in Aba during the heavy downpour that took place three days ago, the thought of how the road was before the emergence of Governor Ikpeazu invaded my mind. I saw people with their umbrellas walking with ease, without having to look high and low for where to place the next step, and a salient question struck me – have they forgotten? Do they still remember that two years ago they could not even step out of their doors in a season like?
No wonder it is said that “the only thing faster than the speed of thought is the speed of forgetfulness. Good a thing we have other people to help us remember. ”
The image attached here was one of the ugly scenes that dotted Aba, christened the Enyimba city some time in the past. There was a total collapse of roads in the city. Commercial activities the city was renowned and acclaimed for, came to near paralysis as a result of lack of access roads to transport raw materials and finished goods. This led to entrepreneurs fleeing the once prosperous town in droves. The remnants had daily gruelling experiences on the roads. The sad episode is inexhaustible. Conclusively, the situation points to that of utter neglect and crass abandonment over the years. It was therefore the state of roads in Aba, before Governor Okezie Ikpeazu came on board as the 4th democratically elected Governor of God’s Own State.
The task of placing Aba on a sound infrastructural footing, bring back investments through aggressive infrastructural rebirth seemed so daunting and unfeasible, probably because of the magnitude of the stockpiled rots. But two years down the lane, the tale of woes, despair and uncertainty have paved way for renewed hope and a bright future, through astute management of the State’s lean resources.
Aba has changed tremendously from a squalor into a transforming modern city, it is not alien to an Enyimba residents, now, to behold broad streets with drainages, lit with streetlights. Businesses and commercial activities are back to life, new investments are springing up, night life have been restored, the economical revolution of the town, nay Abia State, have been kick started by this administration. It is important to state that within the two years this government have been in power, 41 roads that crisscross Abia State have been completed, of which 29 is in Aba, with other 73 roads undergoing construction/reconstruction in different parts of the State.
Surprisingly, all these feats were attained in a turbulent and inclement political climate when this government was under siege from enemies of development. This is a testament to the vision and mission of the Ikpeazu’s administration, with the first Flyover under construction and other rapid developments being moulded.
And now, with the fact that the periods of distractions are over, it is inarguable that the master plan of Aba will be restored thus achieving the developmental latitude envisioned by the founding fathers of the foremost commercial beehive in Nigeria nay globally.
Nde Abia nwem, let’s hold our hands together in support of our Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.
Okezuo Abia, ala a di nma.
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