ABIA AT 22: OCHENDO IS WORKING

Emezue

By Ugochukwu Emezue

Since the creation of Abia State 22 years ago, several administrations both military and civilian, have come and gone without laying a solid foundation for the God’s Own State. The state remained backwards. There was no reasonable development on the ground in a state that was blessed with both human and material resources.

Umuahia, the capital city, remained a glorified village while Aba the supposed commercial nerve of the state which used to be the hub for commerce diminished greatly during these locust years characterized by high level of non-performance. All infrastructures in the state were not only comatose, what existed as roads had no good drainage system.  This was the state of things in Abia when Chief T.A. Orji came on board in 2007. Governor Orji ascended this exalted office with a clear mission and vision on how to turn things around for good. Governor Orji who is popularly called Ochendo (one who provides shelter or one who protects life) by his admirers quickly steered the ship of Abia on the right direction of prosperity and development.

During his first tenure, Governor Orji is came out with a blue print to transform the state, but his vision, plans and aspirations were badly affected due to over 20 court cases instituted by his opponents against his administration which lingered for about four years.

The overbearing nature of his predecessor even worsened matters as the entire state was completely in bondage.

As a man who has a divine mandate and the support of Abians, Governor Orji having won all the court cases against him confronted the challenges head on. As a man who has direct link with God, Governor Orji later liberated the state from the stranglehold of one man. With this fresh air of liberation, a new dawn was ushered in the Abia polity. The darkness vanished as the light sets in. As a fearless leader, Governor Orji boldly confronted all the challenges working against the wheel of progress in the state.
Having restored confidence, dignity and peace in the state with the stamping out of kidnapping which held the state down for many months, Governor Orji quickly went into action.

Unlike in the past when Abia cannot boast of a functional health care delivery system, what is on ground today remains a beauty to behold. Apart from the building of over 250 well equipped health care centres across the state, Governor Orji’s government went a step further by building a world class diagnostic centre in Aba and Umuahia. This diagnostic centre which was commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan is equipped with state of the art equipment. All the health facilities provided by Governor Orji are accessible to all Abians without any discrimination. Governor Orji always said that he wanted everybody in the state to be healthy to enable them contribute their quota to the development of Abia.

Just few weeks ago, Ochendo recorded another mileage with the commissioning of a state of the art dialysis centre by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu.

Beyond this, Amachara General Hospital Umuahia, now Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic centre, is being transformed as new structures comprising children hospital, emergency hall, doctors residence, 100-bed hospital are all there for everyone to see.

Just recently, Agbami Group, a big player in the oil industry in partnership with Abia State Government built an ultra-modern chest clinic which was commissioned by Governor Orji.
In no distant time, the state government will commence the building of a world class eye centre in Umuahia.

The transformation going on at Okeikpe and Arochukwu General Hospitals is a confirmation of Governor Orji’s desire to bring health to the door step of every Abian. 

Abians in Diaspora through the office of the First Lady, Lady Mercy Odochi Orji, has continued to support the present administration as foreign medical missions continue to visit the state to give free medical treatments to the people of the state.

Most states of the federation have no befitting secretariat for their workers.  But the story in Abia is quite different as Governor Orji building a modern secretariat for the worker at Ogurube Layout in Umuahia while the old federal secretariat had been renovated.

Within the same vicinity, a new complex for the Ministry of Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs is springing up and will soon be completed.

The foundation stone of this edifice was laid by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku who visited most of these legacy projects during the National Media Tour by the Ministry of Information.
As a seasoned technocrat who spent a better part of his life in the Civil Service and rising to the position of a Permanent Secretary, Governor Orji shortly after assuming office promoted all civil servants to the next grade level.

As a product of the Judiciary, the amiable governor of Abia State, Governor Orji has embarked on a total renovation and building of new courts in the state.  Passing through Ikot Ekpene road in Umuahia, one cannot but notice the sudden turn-around of what used to be the old Magistrate and High Courts in the state capital which are now wearing a new look.

Beside the renovated High Court, is the new imposing Umuahia High Court which has six court halls and offices for judicial workers.  The old Appeal Court in Umuahia is also wearing a new look.

Also, in Aba the state government has renovated the old Magistrate Court and a new High Court is also being constructed.  Just recently the newly constructed and well equipped Ministry of Justice Complex was commissioned by the state Governor amidst pomp and celebration.

Presently, the state government is erecting a state of the art International Conference Centre sited at the New Umuahia which when completed will be hosting local and international business Summits and entertainment shows.

Today, Abia Government House to say the least is an eye sore as the old edifices are inherited from the colonial masters.  It is against this background that Governor Orji’s administration is on the verge of giving Abians a befitting Government House.

Still on the legacy projects, the New ASEPA building has been commissioned, with workers of the environment agency, discharging their duties in a dignifying and serene environment. The building was commissioned by the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.

The Speaker was on hand also to commission the New Industrial Market, which is a landmark achievement of Chief T.A. Orji’s administration.  During the media tour embarked upon by the Minister of Information, Maku, he commended Governor Orji on this project which he said is affecting the common people positively.

For any first time visitor to Abia State especially Umuahia the state capital, the sight of a ramshackle market at the heart of the city is quite disheartening. This situation will soon be a thing of the past as this market will be relocated to its new site at Ubani Ibeku which is also becoming a sprawling town with the springing up of a housing estate near the market. The Ubani Ibeku Market is expected to be commissioned in no distant time.

One area Abia State Government has also excelled is in the construction of housing estates, one of which is the recently commissioned Amaokwe Housing Estate Adelabu Street, Umuahia.
The relocation of mechanics, spare part dealers and artisans to Ohiya Mechanic Village has no doubt helped in giving Umuahia a face lift.

The Legislature is not left out in the transformation agenda of Chief T.A. Orji’s administration, as the House of Assembly has been renovated, even as a new office complex is being built for the legislators. Already the Deputy Speaker’s Lodge has been commissioned.

In the area of education, Chief T.A. Orji is constructing an E-Library which Abia students are expected to use to enhance their studies. Apart from the remodeling of most schools in the state, this administration has built and equipped over 450 schools in the past two years.

The Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State which is the clearest voice East of the Niger can now boast of a world class edifice that will be commissioned in a matter of weeks.

Presently, work is in progress with regards to the construction of Shoprite Mall, few months after the Governor laid the foundation stone in Umuahia. Other Legacy Projects that have been built and commissioned by the Governor include the Planning Commission Complex and the Skill Acquisition Centre which is the brainchild of Abia State’s First Lady.

To ensure that there is constant power supply in Umuahia and its environs, Abia State Government evacuated power from the Ohiya Power Station owned by the Federal Government to many parts of the Abia State and other neighbouring states.

With the legacy projects being commissioned periodically, Chief T.A. Orji has laid a solid foundation for this generation and indeed future generations of Abians.

There is no doubt that Abians wherever they are today will stand tall and definitely be proud of Chief T.A. Orji as Gods Own State celebrates its 22 years of existence.

Indeed, Ochendo is not relenting as months ahead will be witnessing unprecedented achievements. Already, the governor’s arm chair critics have nothing again to say or write against the administration of Ochendo Global. His good works have permanently shut the mouths of his veracious critics.
God bless Abia State at 22!


Emezue, is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor T.A. Orji of Abia State.