By Kingsley Maduforo
"The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: if it fails admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something" (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932).
Franklin D. Roosevelt was speaking of the 'New Deal' which helped bring the United States out of the Great Depression, through infrastructure development programmes that stimulated economic growth which translates into socio-economic uplift through increased employment and poverty alleviation. Abia State, prior to the coming of the present administration, was faced with major challenges with regards to both social and economic development. There is a complex interplay between socio-economic development and local-economic development aimed at addressing backlogs in service delivery, infrastructure and poverty alleviation. To stimulate growth across the sectors of the economy of the state, infrastructural development is a key factor which engenders sustainable social and economic development.
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, since taking over the leadership of the state, has taken infrastructural development as his first priority and ever since, has been on the speed lane towards achieve it. In the pursuit of sustainable economic growth and social development he has put in place adequate infrastructure to help stabilize our macroeconomic plan. In Abia, the infrastructural progress experienced has led to the recent push and upgrade of Made-in-Aba products to become a global brand integrated into the international market. The Ikpeazu road revolution doubtlessly has indeed turned the state into a huge construction site especially in Aba, the ancient Enyimba city. Solving the dilapidated road network across the state has brought much gain to the economic activities and has given its residents great relief. And this is the strategic road-map towards the recovery of the state economy.
The infrastructural development/ renewal and the caterpillar revolution of Gov. Ikpeazu has led to the construction of the Ultra Modern Abia Investment House completed and commissioned by the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The construction of Okon-Aku Bridge in Ohafia LGA and Nneato Bridge leading to Eziama Umunneochi has been completed and both are in use today. Street light projects have been executed along selected roads in Abia and Umuahia. Right now in Abia State, we have more than 134 road projects that are either completed or ongoing. Breaking it down, Gov. Ikpeazu has completed the building or reconstruction of 56 roads while work is on-goung on 79 active roads spread across the three geopolitical zones. The governor is addicted to quality, most of the roads are constructed with high quality cement technology and with streetlights and good drainage network. It is on record that Ikpeazu's administration commenced the construction of the first ever Abia Interchange (flyover) since the creation of the state, at Osisioma, Aba. This shows his zeal and passion to put the state on the economic world map.
According to him, his administration is engaging in the construction of this kind of high quality road network to ensure a lasting legacy so that in the next 20 years the roads will still be active and functional. This technology will strengthen the load bearing capacity of the roads and boost the strength and quality of the finished work. How is Gov. Ikpeazu able to run the regime of massive infrastructural renewal in the state in the midst of an economic downturn? How is he able to execute the high cost intensive projects like cement rigid technology under a tight economic situation? This is the new wonder of the world.
Another remarkable area of achievement by the governor is in the area of rural and urban electrification. The state government donated 40 units of 300 KVA 33/11 transformers to 40 communities in the 17 LGAs of the state. And more will still be procured for distribution as power is considered a key to the industrialization agenda of Gov. Ikpeazu's administration. In boosting and supporting the growth of MSMEs in the state, more than 1000 shops at Ariaria International Market are enjoying steady power supply through the partnership between Abia State Government and Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government.
Gov. Ikpeazu's commitment and political will in delivering good infrastructure in the state, indeed shows that efficient infrastructure supports economic growth, improves the quality of life, and is necessary for national security. Abians can testify to that. In the aspect of quality of life, it is imperative to note the inevitability of the correlation between investment in public infrastructure and quality of life. This includes investing in the transport system, power and social infrastructure. The accelerated growth in infrastructure across the state did not only improve the living standard of Abians or bring investors to the state, it also increased the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
Gov. Ikpeazu is not just a leader, he is a leader with a vision and a mission. Abia State can only get better under him.
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