‘Orji is transforming Abia’

Orji

What effort has been made to provide amenities and security in the state?

Governor Theodore Orji has been trying to transform the state since he assumed office. As you all know, his first term was spent at various courts trying to validate his mandate and address other external forces. However, in his second term, he has embarked on many projects in the last 10 months. The state government has tackled insecurity amongst others. If you will recall, there was a time no one could sleep with his two eyes closed. I am sure it was a period we will not want to remember when we are assessing the history of the state. 

I want to use this medium to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for coming to the aid of the state governor to battle the ugly trend. We have been sustaining the security measures put in place by the Federal Government because when you build a house or buy a car and refuse to maintain it, it will go bad. This is why the governor is doing everything possible to sustain the efforts by supporting the security agencies in the state. This he is doing through the provision of patrol vehicles  with communication gadgets and other logistics to help them perform effectively. 

But opposition has said government had not done anything…

Sometimes, there are comments people make and you are constrained to respond. When you say the governor has done well but there is room for improvement, people will know that you are criticising constructively. If you do not see any good aspect of him, then it will show that you are not objective in your criticism. Aba is known as the commercial centre for the people of both the Southsouth and Southeast which the governor is trying to turn into a mega-city.  Aba was in decay and it was like it defied the solution from previous administrations. 

I want to say that governor Orji took the bull by the horn by putting things right in the commercial city. I want to use this medium to commend the eminent paramount ruler Eze Isaac Ikonne, the Enyi I of Aba who has lauded the governor for his good works despite being at logger head with the state helmsman. The traditional ruler recently said that he had gone round the project sites in Aba and other parts of the state, despite the fact that he is not in good terms with the governor; he commended the governor’s efforts in uplifting the status of Aba. He called on the people to support him. If such a personality could commend the the governor, which means he  has given him a pass mark. We don’t even expect the oppositions to condemn the actions of the governor; rather they are expected to point out areas they think he needs to adjust for the free flow and reaping of the fruits of democracy. 

So, I want to tell you that Aba is at the process of re-branding to save it from the terrible conditions. So far, 38 roads have been constructed in Aba alone and four housing estates are being developed in the city.  Other projects are equally going on in the commercial city. You could also recall that recently, we commissioned some projects like the Ukwu-Mango Road, the Old Express/Samek Road and the Dan-Fodio Road which have been tarred.Also the first phase of Aba-Owerri Road is completed; the pedestrian bridge at the Abia State Polytechnic has ended the  death of students and the residents.  The Osisioma Motor Park has been tarred and will soon be inaugurated; we are building a modern theatre hall for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), drainages in the commercial city including construction of drainages to take care of flooding in Aba. In addition to that, the state government has spent well over N5 billion on Aba to complete on-going projects in order to make the mega city dream a reality. All these projects are in phases and the governor wish to make impact in all the departments before the end of his tenure. Aba is not the only city in the state but it is being given attention because of its importance as the commercial centre of the region.

What is government position on workers welfare? 

The governor has done well in the area of remuneration of the workers. It is still one of the states that pay N20,100 which is even more than the normal minimum wage. He has been paying it in the past three months. So, how will somebody now say that he has not been doing great in the welfare of the workers? And when we talk about the issue of youth empowerment, the governor had empowered 4,500 youths and they are well remunerated.  Governor Orji also uses his son, Mr. Chinedu Orji as the driving force for the youth empowerment programmes in the state.  He had to go out and mobilise the youths to ensure that youths are engaged.  

Government will clock one year in office soon, what should the people expect? 

They should expect completion of on-going projects and other developmental activities to boost the growth of the state. The governor has promised to build more health centres and have them equipped, as well as get the other sectors working. So, I will urge them to be patience with the government and  trust the governor.  He will deliver on his promises, because he knows  that government is about service to the people.