Whatever you see happening in Abia State today is as a result of sincerity of intentions and preparedness to lead, rebuild and boost people’s confidence in a government they sincerely participated in bringing to power, the leadership of the party and our governor is not taking that trust for granted.
In keeping to its campaign promises of rebuilding Abia to its lost pride as center of industry and commerce covering virtually every aspect of trade and enterprise, the Alex Otti led Labour party government in Abia has embarked on a massive ambitious projects of rebuilding over 100 road networks across the 17 Local government. Some of the roads, carelessly abandoned by previous PDP administrations in their ignorance until entire activities that should boost the economic cycle between the rural communities and center of businesses in the state were completely cut off.
This is evidence of the New Abia in focus and the Alex Otti led Labour party government is leaving no stone unturned to make sure Abia is completely reopened for business both at domestic and international levels, not in rhetoric or political statement but in reality of achieving success as a leader who is prepared and committed to the sacrifice of leadership.
Some of the roads leading to viable communities of agricultural businesses and trade routes between neighboring states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi and Rivers State were earmarked for reconstruction in the published list from the Abia State government that is already going viral.
Apart from the ambitious Aba-Port Harcourt road that has remained in the news since the arrival of Nigeria’s expatriate giant road contractors to the site, there are others like the recently flagged off Umuahia through Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia road, about 67 kilometers of road network connecting Ebonyi en-route Ohafia and driving towards Arochukwu. These are road networks that have been abandoned for decades leaving the indigenes and visitors to a very frustrating experience at the menace of security risk and loss to many business interest.
Since the published list went viral, I have listened to various analysts coming to the radio stations to confuse the people. In their ignorance, they are of the opinion that the published list are mere intentions of the ruling Alex Otti’s Labour party government and do not translate to actual executions of the projects as there is no particular budgetary figures quoted behind any of the published roads in the list.
Fortunately, though, every critics of the Abia state Labour Party government has the right to their own opinion, it took over 20 years to condition the minds of people down here to accept deception as a political culture, therefore, such statement could be forgiven because if you pay close attention to the list you will find out that about 20% or more of roads in that list is already receiving the desired attention in the city of Aba and Umuahia and just yesterday the 7th of February, the flag off ceremony of the over 67 Kilometers Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia road took place, it is there in that list and not a coincidence that just happened overnight.
Whatever you see happening in Abia State today is as a result of sincerity of intentions and preparedness to lead, rebuild and boost people’s confidence in a government they sincerely participated in bringing to power, the leadership of the party and our governor is not taking that trust for granted. I can bet anyone for free that it would have been the reverse has any other government rigged its way to power without the people’s endorsement as was the former practice here in Abia State.
Today that Abia we used to know is gone and buried for the New Abia of our dream. We used to be the first in many fronts before certain criminal elements that once paraded themselves as political leaders hijacked the progress of the state and took Abia to the garbage of history.
That Abia is gone forever and according to H.E. Governor Alex Otti’s statement, he is taking Abia back to that position of the first.
“All we are doing is to maintain the State’s position as the first” said Governor Otti. “The whole idea for embarking on the road project is to strategically open up the communities so that the people can begin to enjoy good life
“We want those who live in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and all parts of Nigeria to feel free to come back to their villages spend time, spend money and stimulate the economy so that our people will also have a good life, that is how economy moves,” said Governor Otti
Njoku Jerry Ajike is the State Publicity Secretary, Labour Party, Abia
