*PDP is celebrating failure and misgovernance -APGA
Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu said he has laid a solid foundation upon which future governors of the state can leverage on for more development.
The Governor also stated that he is excited about the infrastructural renewal projects recorded by his administration as well as the current peace and harmony in the state.
Abia state was created on August 27, 1991, by the General Ibrahim Babangida military administration.
Governor Ikpeazu who made this known during his broadcast at the 31st anniversary of the creation of the state, explained that his administration has delivered many landmark infrastructural projects across various sectors of the state.
However, the state chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in a statement by its state chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, disagreed with the Governor , and described the anniversary as a celebration of failure and misgovernance by the PDP led administration, saying that the PDP administration has made Abians poorer by not paying salaries and pensions.
Ikpeazu said; “I can tell you with some confidence that we have laid a solid foundation for our State upon which our successors will build. Today, we have in place, a long-term development plan, a futuristic document which outlines clearly our development pathway for the next 30 years. We, working together with UN-HABITAT, now have a standard and workable master plan for Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia. We also have an industrial policy which we worked with UNIDO to produce for our state.
These policy documents were not there before now. Undoubtedly, these will impact positively on our system of governance. When we add these to the massive investment we have made in the area of capacity building for young Abians
He also noted that despite political differences, his administration has maintained peace with all stakeholders because there can never be meaningful development in an atmosphere of strife.
While noting that there was no motorable road in Aba before he came to office, Ikpeazu disclosed that he had delivered over 150 roads across the state including the Osisioma flyover while work is ongoing in another 48 roads with a target to complete them before May 29, 2023.
“I am excited about the works we have done in the infrastructural sector, what I would consider to be our most enduring achievement in the course of our administration would be the enduring atmosphere of peace and harmony we have entrenched in the state since we came on board. We have been together on this journey for the last 7 years and counting. We have weathered storms and celebrated triumphs. One thing I am not in doubt of is the fact that we have taken the State further than we met it 7 years ago. Our works speak for us. We have delivered many pioneering and indelible landmark infrastructural projects across various sectors of Abia State.
“Today, for the first time in over 30 years, our major markets in Aba are now accessible by road. The Eziukwu road leading to the popular Cemetery Market which had long been forgotten is now fully rebuilt and back to life and it is easy now to connect that market from Aba-Owerri road seamlessly. Same goes for the Ngwa Road Market and the Ariaria International Market. In the area of education, our primary school enrolment-figures have moved from an initial 150,000 in 2015 to about 700,000 today. We have remained on the list of top performers in WAEC Exams in the country.”
The Governor acknowledged challenges and projects yet to be done, but expressed joy that his administration has improved the state from what he met on ground.
He also noted that despite political differences and provocations, he has maintained peace with all stakeholders in the state because there can never be meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancor.
I have managed to remain at peace with every strata of tendencies in the State. We do not have quarrels with predecessors in Abia State. We do not have Abuja factions sabotaging government efforts and internal party divides. We even work harmoniously with Abians holding federal appointments despite belonging to different political parties.”
He noted the challenges the state faces in the area of security, wage bill, pensions and other areas and assured that the issues would soon be resolved.
