Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has commended Nigeria’s Founding Fathers for their immense contribution to the birthing of the nation after many years of struggle, agitation, intellectual arguments, selfless and nationalistic efforts.
Fifty-five years down the line, the governor noted that the country has witnessed many challenges just as it has witnessed remarkable triumphs, thanking God for the Unity of Nigeria today.
Ikpeazu gave the commendation in his statewide broadcast to Abians to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary in Umuahia, saying that since Abia State was born on August 28, 1991, the government has embarked on a voyage of consolidating on the greatness of the state.
The governor, whose ship set sail on May 29, 2015, said the state also continues the journey, sure of its destination and unwavering in the commitment to get there, having initiated a number of projects and measures aimed at sanitizing the system and enthroning a culture of fiscal discipline and prudent management of resources to meet developmental objectives.
In Ikpeazu’s words, “My beloved Abians, I am aware that you are currently undergoing different forms of hardships. From the difficult traffic situation in Aba to the poor state of access roads inside the Ariaria International Market and other markets. Whatever challenges any Abian is currently facing, I as your Governor, express my deepest concern and assure you that I share in your pain. My team and I are working round the clock to ensure that we resolve most of these challenges confronting our people.
“It is for this reason that we embarked on a massive reconstruction of existing roads in the state and building new ones to create alternative outlets that will ease the pressure on the roads currently in use and create options for road users. Ordinarily, it is expensive and logistically challenging to build roads during the rainy season; but due to the extent of suffering our people are going through, we cannot wait for the dry season before we commence work on our roads.
“Again, working during this rainy season has helped us determine the direction of flow of rainwater which will in the long run help the integrity of the roads we are building.
“Most importantly, our massive drainage desilting exercise has saved Abia State from calamity. Those of you conversant with news of national events would have read or heard of floods causing massive havoc in at least 4 states in the North and 2 in the South. I dare say that if we had not embarked on our construction activities and opened our drains, Abia State would have been a victim of flooding due to the sheer quantity of rain that fell this year. To God be the glory.
“I therefore wish to use this medium to plead for the understanding of the people experiencing one hardship or another and remind you that it gets darkest shortly before the break of dawn. The day is about to break. A new dawn is in the horizon and in a very short while, you will witness the manifestation of the work we have been doing.
“As you are all aware, Abia State is one of the states that applied to the Federal Government for bailout funds to defray outstanding salaries and emoluments owed workers in the state.
“The Central bank of Nigeria approved N14.15 billion for Abia State for this purpose. I have since set up a committee to manage these funds and ensure that it is judiciously utilized for the purpose for which it was requested. I wish to reiterate my charge to the members of the Bailout Committee to ensure that by Friday, October 30, 2015, all outstanding salaries and pensions in Abia State have been defrayed.
“I wish to state that contrary to the fears expressed in some quarters, the setting up of the committee to manage the disbursement of the funds does not have any ulterior consideration. The work of the committee is not costing us any money. It is made up of those who are already in the system and they are working for their state. We are not a profligate government. We will not spend a kobo of your money without justification. It is for this reason that we did not embark on any elaborate celebration for our 100 days in office like some of our contemporaries did. What we simply did was to tour our on-going projects which was done within the normal schedule of our activities thus eliminating the need for elaborate events that cost huge sums of money to organize.
“Let me also reiterate my desire to run an open and honest government which keeps the people informed about what government is doing at every point in time. We are mindful of the fact that we are here at your behest and we owe you the people and the voters the duty of reporting back to you what we are doing with the mandate you so graciously gave to us to govern you.
“Beloved Abians, in the spirit of this year’s Independence Day, I wish to make an open call on Abians with a creative streak to submit their designs for a new Abia State Logo and Anthem. The Logo and Anthem will encapsulate our core values as a people and represent our heritage and symbols. Within the next 30 days, we will review all the entries we receive and pick the best for unveiling as the new official Logo and Anthem of Abia State.
“I wish to call upon our people to support all the new initiatives introduced by government for the good of the people. I urge you to support our new Internally Generated Revenue collection process. Cooperate with the new consultants we have engaged and pay your taxes to the appropriate bank accounts to help government serve you better.
“I also urge our eligible youths to register for the Education for Employment (E4E) Programme so that they can be imbued with requisite skills that will make them fit for employment in Abia State and beyond. Our Office of Aba Urban Renewal and our Market Development Committee are also in the field working to make things better for the people. Kindly cooperate with them.”
Similarly, in a related development, the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April general election in the state, Dr. Alex Otti, has felicitated with the people of the state and entire Nigerians on the occasion of the 55th anniversary celebration of Nigeria’s independence.
In his goodwill message in Umuahia entitled, ‘’Look up to God, tomorrow will be better,’’ Otti urged the people of Abia to continue to pray for God’s intervention in the affairs of the state.
He urged the people to remain resolute in their hope for a better tomorrow, adding that they should not be disturbed by the present economic situation in the state.
‘’The end to your more than 16 years of sufferings, impoverishment and underdevelopment is in sight,’’ he said.
Otti noted that the state had not recorded meaningful and sustainable development since it was created due to inept, deceitful and visionless leadership of the past administrations.
‘’This will soon end and Abians will rise again and compete favourably in the comity of states in the federation.”
Otti also appealed to Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that the current war against corruption would help to transform the nation’s socio-political and economic landscape.
He further urged religious groups, traditional ruler and Nigerians in general to devote time during the anniversary celebrations to pray for the continued corporate existence of Nigeria.
APGA number one citizen in Abia State expressed the optimism that the country would surmount its present security challenges and also become a stronger and more united under the present leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
