Abia At 27: How Governor Ikpeazu Is Shaping The Future

As Abia marks 27 years of its creation as a state from the old Imo State on August 27, 1991, THE WHISTLER looks at how Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s policies are shaping the future of the state.

Ikpeazu, during his inauguration as the 9th governor of the southeastern state on May 29, 2015 and less than 3 months to the state’s Silver Jubilee celebration, had promised accelerated economic growth in Abia, as he outlined 4 major areas he will tackle, which included Infrastructure, Security, and Healthcare.

“Our administration is fully committed to providing the enabling environment and infrastructure to facilitate the growth and development of Abia and its people; positioning it as a premier residential, business and tourism destination, with the ultimate objective of uplifting the lives of our people,” he had said during his inauguration ceremony.

Three years down the line, Ikpeazu’s commitment towards the realization of his promises to Abians has been described by many as commendable, with some saying that the state has witnessed unprecedented transformations under his leadership.

Ikpeazu’s “Proudly Made in Aba” campaign attracted accolades from all corners of the world, as the governor recently signed a multimillion-dollar investment agreement with the Ruyi Group of China for the new Enyimba Economic City and a whopping sum of $1.3m dollars has already been committed to the landmine project.

“In June this year, in Beijing, China, we signed a Multi-Billion Dollar Memorandum of Understanding for the investment of the Ruyi Group, a global conglomerate, in the Enyimba Economic City and adjoining existing businesses.

“This investment will see to the establishment of a world-class garment factory as well as commercial roll out of independent power systems to support rapid industrialization of the Abia South Senatorial zone of the state,” Ikpeazu said in a speech making the 27 year anniversary of the state

In terms of infrastructural development, Abia has witnessed a lot of shifts, owing to Ikpeazu’s commitment in that regard.

The governor had over the weekend re-opened in grand style the remodeled 20,000 capacity Enyimba International Stadium situation in the state’s economic city of Aba, this is seen as a step in the right direction in revamping sports in the city.

In education, the governor has undoubtably done well as incidences of strike in tertiary institutions have been reduced to the barest minimum, as compared to past democratic governments in the state.

Also the West African Examination Council, WAEC 2018 ranking of all the 36 States in Nigeria saw Abia topping the chart, a position they have been for three years in a row, since Ikpeazu led administration came to power.

While the state has gained in some areas under Ikpeazu, it has failed in the area of security as figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) this year for 2017, show Abia recording the highest crime rate after Lagos with 12,408 (9.2%) cases.

This ranking might not be unconnected to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB clashes that happened within the year with the Nigeria security which left scores dead and many others injured.

Recall that NBS report of 2017, had shown that Katsina, Abia and Zamfara recorded the lowest crime rate in the country with 0.10 per cent, 0.29 per cent and 0.38 per cent respectively for 2016.

However, despite Ikpeazu’s achievements, some have said that the state is still bugged by shackles of God-fatherism. They say that Ikpeazu’s predecessor Senator T.A. Orji still has a large influence in the way state policies are crafted and executed and resources shared.

While others believe that Ikpeazu has not shown enough commitment to match the challenges of the state, as they alleged that workers and Pensioners in Abia State were being owed since December, Ikpeazu was accused of deceiving Abians by making bogus claims of working on 135 roads while only 70 have been complete.

They decried the state of infrastructure in Abia state after 27 years of its creation state as they said the infrastructure in the state fell short of the aspiration of the its founding fathers.

State governments in the past have not paid a lot of attention to building infrastructure within the state. Abia state is currently in disarray with little or no improvement on basic infrastructure like good roads, electricity, water, good housing schemes and even business development.

“Ikpeazu administration cannot comfortably point at any road completed by him in Abia State, yet, the poor masses are faced with multiple taxation. Homes have been destroyed on the promise of constructing roads, while the government is now selling sands and hardcore from the debris of their destruction,” Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, the state chairman of opposition party APGA said.

In spite of the shortcomings, Abia has come a long way since its creation.

For instance the commercial city of Aba continues to boom with lots of economic activities, as private investors are now trooping into the state, despite the poor state of roads and obsolete drainages.

Shoes, bags and garments produced in Aba for Nigeria and other African countries, have contributed to the economic growth not just for the state but also the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Point (GDP).

Aba has a long history as a major center of commerce and industry in Nigeria and its influence extends to such neighboring countries as Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Central Africa Republic, Ghana, etc.

Also over the years, Abia has witnessed an increase in the agricultural sector, as government has continued to support farmers through the provision of soft loans and fertilizers. The state government had recently shared 2 million special species of oil palm seedlings to farmers across the 17 local government areas of the state, in other to boost oil palm production.

The Potentials of Abia:

If the present efforts of Governor Ikpeazu’s administration are sustained, Abia’s economy in few years time would be substantially driven by oil palm. The state targets to develop 7.5million palm seedlings occupying 10,000 of oil palm plantation across the state.

The project will come in phases. The first phase will produce 2 million seedlings. The second phase is projected to record 3 million seedlings, while the last lap will produce the rest 2.5 million seedlings.

The state is as well embarking on massive plantation of other economic crops such as ginger, pineapple and cassava, and Ohambele in Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state has been mapped for the production of ginger and pineapple.

Similarly, the Aba Mega Mall located in the business capital of the state, has been touted as the largest mall in West Africa. This investment amongst other, is expected to boost commercial activities in the coming years, and put Abia on the map of world top commercial destinations.