Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has called on the people of Ukwa/Ngwa to be fair in their demands on him as the governor and consider people from other parts of the state.
Ikpeazu spoke yesterday during the concluding phase of the ongoing Abia State town hall meeting in Abia South.
Ikpeazu, who hails from Ukwa/Ngwa axis of the state, that didn’t produce the governor of the state until 2015 when Dr. Ikpeazu emerged as the 4th democratically elected governor of the state, also assured the people that everything due to them will be given to them.
Speaking at the Obehie venue of the meeting, Governor Ikpeazu said: “I’m here to fulfill the promise I made to you during the campaigns. I promised that I will always return to you as the owners of the mandate I’m holding in trust, to report to you on what we’ve done, what we are doing and what we want to do.
“I’m not your ruler, but your servant. Therefore, I’m here to tell you what we’ve done in the first one year of our government and what we plan to do in the next one year, or our second year of our four years tenure. I will also give you the opportunity to ask me questions, and I will answer all your questions here, that’s why we are here in this town hall meeting.
“I will not lie to you because I don’t have any reason to do so. You elected me as your Governor to tell you the truth always, and not to lie to you.
“All I am asking from you is your continuos prayers. Be rest assured that Abia is in God’s safe hands,” the governor said.
On the plans of his administration to develop the state, the governor said: “My dear brothers and sisters from Ukwa/Ngwa, it is true that I am one of you, it is also true that we’ve not been governor until now, but I am the Governor of Abia State, and not just the Governor of Ukwa/Ngwa people.
“So when I want to take decisions about our state, I will think of Abia as a state and not Abia South or Ukwa/Ngwa. This is one truth that I must tell you.
“I know where I come from, and our brothers and sisters from Old Bende know that I come from somewhere. We must be fair to every Abian and visitors in our land.
“Another truth I must tell our young people is; we are serious about our plans to develop our land. Very soon multinational companies will be coming to you asking you to sale your lands to them, please do not sale your lands, but go into partnership with investors coming into your area.
“Let your land be your own contribution to any business that is coming to your area, so that you will not only benefit from the business, but your children and generations unborn will also be shareholders and benefit from the business. Please let us stop selling our lands. Our tomorrow will be better and we must plan for that tomorrow now. Never again will we be slaves in our land. This is one truth I must tell you, as one of you.”
The governor also emphasized his call on the people to begin to think of going into agriculture, as it is the way to go all over the world, for economic survival.
Also, the former Commissioner of Information, Chief Ralph Egbu, commended the governor for initiating the idea of the town hall meeting and also making out time to attend, stressing that the town hall meeting has given the governor the opportunity to see, feel and hear from those that voted him into office.
“This is the first we have a Governor in a town hall meeting where he sees, feels and hears from the people that voted him to be their governor. I must commend you for that, and also ask that you ensure that all that had been said here is attended to.” Egbu said.
