REMAKING THE ABIA'S INFRASTRUCTURAL NARRATIVES; @GovernorIkpeazu 'S APPROACH

~Adimchinobi Onyenso



One of the most important qualities of leadership is the assumption and acceptance of responsibility for the State and all the decisions taken within the State. The leader is responsible for making strategic decisions and he or she cannot shrink or abrogate that responsibility.

Put differently, the essence of leadership is to appropriately harness and galvanize the resources of a particular geographical entity for the greater good of the majority. Therefore a good leaders is that change agent, correcting the mistakes and deficits of the yesteryears, thus giving the lives of the people a meaning.

Since May, 2015 when the present leadership under the watch of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu took the reins of power in Abia State, there has been gamut harvest of dividends of democratic leadership across the Abia's landscape. A breath of fresh air has been felt, with sundry attestation that the majority of Abia electorate made the right choice in Governor Ikpeazu.

Hitherto, there was virtually a discontent about the state of Abia roads and general infrastructure, most especially in the State's commercial headquarters, Aba. The city, Aba needs little or no introduction as it represents the city for meeting the hope and aspirations of the Igbo man. But the then negligence, decay and collapse of social amenities left much to be desired.

Howbeit, the Ikpeazu administration has risen to the challenges and today, Enyimba city is systematically and steadily being reinvented of which, in a short while without exaggeration, it will certainly join the league of modern cities in Africa.

Firstly, the iconic interchange under construction at Osisioma junction, apart from being a prototype of such projects in Abia, it is such a flyover that, when completed, will put an end, the traffic gridlock experienced in that areas due to the influx of traders and businessmen into the city from cities which Aba has proximities with, Owerri and Onitsha in the east, Umuhia and Enugu through the north, Porthacourt etc in the south as.

Another landscape achievement of the Ikpeazu's administration is the tackling of the perennial flooding of Aba, especially during the rainy seasons. This accounts for the then impassible state of Ukwu Mango and other Ariaria international market environs.

To mitigate this ugly situation, the Ifeobara basin has been built as collection center for water around the area. Then, drain pipes has been fixed from the basin to transfer water through the six other mini collection centers to Umungasi waterside.

This will definitely put an end to water spills to people's shops in Ariaria market as the flood is being channeled to its convenient point from Ariaria, through the Aba Owerri road cutters being built. This may also accounts for the delay in the building of these cutters to enable the contractors get things right once and for all.

Furthermore, there is no argument to the fact that constant power supply is chief to industrial and commercial enterprise as such erratic powers supply has negative toll on business development and expansion. Against this backdrop, for the Enyimba city to fully realize her potentials and truly become the pride of African continent, representing and fitting rightly into the name "the Japan of Africa", the power challenges of the city ought to be given serious attention.

It is in realization of this fact that this government has taken the bold steps to reverse the trend of the epileptic power supply, starting from the bustling Ariaria international market. Happily, a soundproof power generating machine is being installed at "free zone" area of Ariaria. This project (energy gas plant) with collaboration from the office of the Vice President of Nigeria which is being test run over one month now, giving 12hours uninterrupted power supply is aimed at boosting the MSMEs.

This is a strong footing for attaining a state of power sufficiency in Ariaria nay, Aba generally, a catalyst to attracting more investments as well, elongate the stay of the traders and business owners in the market. Recall that power generation in Ariaria has been by individual provisions which causes more noise and air pollution to the crowded Ariaria.

Moreover, it will open a new vista of opportunities as it will certainly spur other independent energy operators to storm Aba and provide solutions and way forward for our power issues.

The Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's administration should he appreciated for creating a clement climate for business to thrive as such, it will give a boost to our local content initiative and support of the present government. Without contradictions, the present government understands where it pinches the masses and very prepared to leave the developed and economically vibrant state.

#Let's keep faith with Abia

~ Abia Online