“Henceforth, let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the mark of our lord Jesus Christ,” Galatians 6: 17.
With these words from the Bible, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has advised the opposition and other detractors of government not to distract him again, but to allow him to focus on his mission of rendering services to the people of the state.
The governor said the protracted legal battle that ended at the Supreme Court was a huge distraction and, having come out of it, he needs all the time and energy to focus on the onerous task of rebuilding Abia State.
The governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary Godwin Adindu, said the era of politics in Abia State is over and dead with the verdict of the Supreme Court, and that all resources and time will have to be channelled towards full governance, stressing that he could discern the yearning of the people for services through their massive solidarity with him throughout the elections and the protracted legal battle.
While noting that opposition groups hardly give up on their antics, he stated that the era of hauling stones should be over in the state and called on the opposition to shield their sword and join him in his crusade for the development of Abia, stressing that they should redirect their energy to something positive and meaningful for the collective good of the state.
He disclosed that his infrastructural renewal drive will receive an impetus with the flag-off of the construction of three roads in Bende Local Council this week and this will bring to 50 the number of active roads being constructed by his government in the last eight months, with over 20 commissioned.
The Governor further disclosed that he has to focus more attention on road construction because of the deplorable condition of the roads especially in Aba and the need to change the narrative of Aba from a city of lamentable meltdown to a city of promise and hope, adding that he was able to achieve the feat through prudent management and by blocking all leakages and checkmating all unnecessary ceremonies from where state funds were expended unnecessarily.
Recalling some of the recent achievements of the state, the governor said the state has just launched the Traffic and Indiscipline Management Agency with 500 youths in its employ and also launched the Infrastructure Management Agency, adding that apart from providing jobs, the two agencies are designed to be self-sustaining.
He also disclosed that he recently inaugurated the committee for the Inland Dry Port at Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, with a charge to the committee members to ensure an immediate operation of the Port and has also partnered with some Mexicans and Philipinos to establish three Trade Centres where Abia youths will be trained in such handiwork as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, tiling etc.
The idea is to help the artisans add some professionalism and education to their trade. We expect that the trade centres will create jobs and empower people with skills.
The governor said Abia is also running a programme called Zero tolerance to potholes. By this, the old roads are constantly being asphalted and resurfaced. This programme is being executed by the state road management agency and it is taking place simultaneously in the two cities of Umuahia and Aba.
