By Joe Akwarandu, Veteran Journalist.
The wise saying that when the righteous is on the throne, the inhabitants
rejoice. The philosophic saying has been replicated in Abia State, GOD’s
OWN STATE, since May 29, 2023 when Dr Alex Chioma Otti took the
mantle of leadership in the state.
Dr Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) is the 4th democratically elected Governor of
Abia State. To GOD’s GLORY. Since he mounted the exalted seat, the
Executive Governor wakes up every day with developmental service and
executive excellence to the admiration of the people. Dr Alex Chioma Otti
has re-defined and refixed Abia State to the admiration of his worst critics
and pride of his admirers and supporters who voted massively for him and
God ensured that their votes counted.
TALK-NA Do servant leader, JIDE – KWA – NKE – IJI.
Now on the above topic of this writer up, while I am not in anyway trying
to be selfish or parochial about my local government development, rather I am only trying to highlight the abnormality of our past regimes.
And secondly
to re-emphasize the strategic and historic significance of the two
abandoned projects fortunately situated within my locality by both past
military and civilian governments.
The first project was an Airport being executed by Nigeria Aviation
Authority (NAA) in the mid seventies and approved by the first military Administrator of Old Imo State, Real Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu of the blessed memory.
The Airport project occupied a vast area of land owned by three
communities namely, Umuekwe-Umuocheala, Amapu-Umuha and
Umuohie- Uratta villages then. The project had reached the grading of the run-away, laying of the foundation stones of the Aviation offices and
residences before the handing over of the military regime to the quasi civilian government to Alhaji Shehu Shagari by General Olusegun Obasanjo
in 1979.
Subsequently, Chief Sam Mbakwe became the civilian governor of Imo
State. It is unfortunately recalled that when Chief Mbakwe came into office in the late seventies and due to political reasons best known to him, he
decided to relocate the Airport site to Ngor-okpala where it is located
today.
As a matter of truth, I make bold to say that since the abandonment
of the project, the vast former arable land has become useless to teeming farmer of the area and under-utilized. The land which spans to hectares’ can accommodate any university of global standard, any Housing Estate, Industrial Cluster etc.
This is verifiable.
Your Excellency, Sir, since the vast Achara land has lost it agricultural value
due to devastitation of the Airport projects some decades ago, we are appealing to you to use your dynamic and developmental process to come and take over the land to further develop Abia State for more economic
progress.
Our Executive, God Given Leader, Dr Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) the second
abandoned project is the road which crosses Owerrinta, Umuocheala,
Urrata, Umuchima, Ahiaba and terminates at Ihie in Ngwa-Ukwu. The importance of this Ring- Road cannot be over-emphasized.
Apart from running through these communities and villages which are dominated by farmers, it also harbors institution’s and Kingdoms. The said abandoned
road harbors’ the newly completed Catholic Seminary to be commissioned
soon at Umuocheala and the famous CLIFFORD UNIVERSITY, Ihie.
The Owerrinta – Umuocheala road also shortens the journey from
many locations to the Clifford University and to Umuahia, Abia State
Capital, and so saves money at this time of economic hardship in the country.
Sir, earlier in your monthly chats with journalists some months ago, yours
sincerely had hinted you about this abandoned road to which you promised
to fish out the contractors. The road projects were contracted by past administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and was attracted by one of Owerrinta Sons, Mr. Obinna Oriaku who served as commissioner for finance in Ikpeazu’s cabinet.
I recall vividly that the then government contracted two
roads, namely, Aforsukwu – Umuojima- Egbelu- Mbutu, and OwerrintaUmuocheala Ihie Ngwa Ukwu- Clifford University Road. It will surprise you
to learn that one of roads, the one which passes through Obinna Oriaku’s village – Aforsukwu- Umuojima Egbelu Mbutu villages was completed
within a space of two months while the all important Owerrinta –
Umuocheala – Ihie University road was only graded for a few kilometers,
splashed with asphalt up to about one Kilometer and abandoned by the
contractor who did not even care to display his sign- post to indicate his
Identity, an indication of a fake and fraudulent contract.
I will suggest
that the Ministry of Works in Abia State should help to fish out this fraudulent contractor and be made to refund any money he may have embezzled.
Mr. Obinna Oriaku can also be contacted to say all he knew about the abandoned
road project.
Your Excellency, the victims of these abandoned projects are appealing to
you to save them from abject hardship these abandoned projects have caused mostly as the roads become impassable during the rainy seasons.
Finally we passionately send our heart- felt gratitude to your Excellency for the excellent work you have continued to exhibit to the pride of Abians as we
say BRAVO to the God sent Messiah.
JOE AKWARANDU
Veteran Journalist
Writes from Umuahia
08068796683
