MY RED LETTER PROJECT TOUR WITH ABIA ELDERS
The beautiful dawn of 14th June 2012, which heralded a bright and clement morning, will historically remain a cherished memorial in the annals of the godly state of Abia; which having groped in leadership crisis for two decades, entered into eventful tranquility courtesy of the gubernatorial stewardship of Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji.
It was on the above stated date that a high-powered delegation of Abia State Council of Elders came calling. Reason; they have heard that a wise and receptive man is over-shadowing the affairs of their ancestral state of Abia and have come to ascertain its veracity.
I had my mind set on strategic ways and means of dealing with the days articulated programmes when suddenly I was jolted by the desperate man hunt of Dr. Eme Okoro; the cerebral secretary of Abia Council of Elders. On spotting me, his face brightened with excitement and before I could say Jack Robinson, he pigeon hold me into touring of project sites with the Elders.
It was for me, a rare and cherished honour, seating and exchanging pleasantries with a retinue of Abia State illustrious sons who have made incontrovertible milestones in their various vocations.
The council is ably chaired by one of Africa's Leading Lights in the World of Insurance, Professor Joe Irukwu and this has largely led to their united resolve to genuinely reciprocate the Governor's hand of Fellowship. Professor Irukwu will tell you: “the Elders Council has come to assist in the onerous task of moving Abia forward, and not to be assisted.” His contention is that at their age and individual achievements, no filthy lucre will be irresistible enough to make them sale their birthright. He was to expatiate further by acknowledging the genuine spirit of oneness and brotherly bonds, Prevalent in the mannerism of Governor T.A. Orji, a departure from the sorry state of the past characterized by high level ineptitude and pedestrian approach to governance.
The council is genuinely anchored on a mission, propelled by a vision to collectively and individually leverage on their wealth of experience for the well being of Abia State.
In the event of experiencing collision of opinions with the Governor's the council professor Irukwu squealed will hold their peace and withdraw to their individual comforts and splendor having in the first instance, congregated on a non-profit and contract racing basis. But that is not likely to be the case as the Governor; Chief T.A. Orji places them on high premium and is seen to have variously respected their opinions. He has acknowledged that nobody is a custodian of knowledge and ideas need to be cross-fertilized for effective result.
So it was that in the month of June 2012, Professor Irukwu mobilized the likes of Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Ambassador Professor S.O. Emejuaiwe, Ambassador E.O. Philips, Mazi Emma Nwokoro, Dr. Eme Okoro, Chief Tony Ukasanya and the Legendry Chief J.D Maduako for a fact finding tour of Governor T.A. Orji's project sites, located in all the nooks and crannies of the State.
At Ubakala Express road, the elders discovered that the contractor was not on site because he needed to expedite work on the more critical Ohafia-Arochukwu road. They had earlier endorsed the emerging expansion on the road mostly from the Apumiri axis, hoping that when the contractor mobilizes back to site, he will maintain and even improve on that trend and adorn the road with well laid median and functional street lights. At the completed and commissioned access road to Christ the King children centre Eziama-Ntigha, the Elders nodded in commendation of the good work done. They had scarcely left the scene when some natives were spotted happily conveying their farm produce to the nearby market.
The commendations, which trailed the Eziama- Ntigha road, had scarcely died down when the elders landed at the 53 units Amuba Housing Estate.
Oblivious of the exciting presence of Amuba housing estate, the elders passionately asked to be considered in the sales to enable them consummate the peace and tranquility, which the estate is poised to offer. They were visibly amazed that government could thoughtfully conceive the location of the estate at such a serene and noiseless environment, devoid of the distracting encumbrances of a city like Umuahia.
On structural compliance and aesthetic beauty, aggregation of their connotive opinions weighed heavily on the contractors inability to make provisions for dwarfed perimeter fencing. But the joy of having and situating the estate at its present location comparatively diminished what they described as adjustable observation. It was not alarming enough to over-shadow their repeated interest in becoming property owners at Amuba Housing Estate; the moment government puts them on offer.
From Amuba, the inspection train pulled up at the 132-33kVA Power Station, believed to be the icing in Ochendo's soaring rating.
Yours sincerely, was evidently amazed to historically learn that construction work at the Power station is traceable to the Military era. But like the Elders observed, this is not a season of trading blames, but of gratitude to God and His change agent; Chief T.A. Orji. The elders battled with the deserving and fitting syntax to commend the Federal-State Synergy, which energized and evacuated power from the 132-33KVA Power Station. Light has triumphantly blazed through darkness in Abia State and the multiplier effect is that businesses in and around the capital territory are obviously picking up.
My conscription into Abia Elders Project tour also provided me with another vista of getting to know that the commissioned Ohiya Power Station came during the senatorial services of General Ike Nwachukwu, whose 10 slots was slashed to 4 power stations. No thanks to Obasanjo's bravado and muscle flexing. The success of Ohiya will be a springboard to step up activities and hopefully realize Mbalano, Ohafia and Arochukwu Power Stations especially now that Juno-Harmes is dedicated to the vision of building a cement manufacturing factory at Arochukwu.
In a hush tone, let me whisper to us that the elders got carried away at the site of lush green mountainous valley over-looking the power station and concluded it will make for another interesting estate where darkness can never comprehend light.
On sitting the project site of the new workers secretariat and international conference centre, they were proud and visibly elated to see that the workers secretariat is a twin building of 4 floors each, with a provision for lifts, expansive parks and utility space for landscaping, asphalted net work of roads and a walk-way to link the old Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat which in itself is under-going reconstruction. All are expatriate endeavours, which the elders overtly eulogized, given their professional dedication to quality and perfect finishing as represented by what they saw at site. Their initial apprehension of possible abandonment was rationally address by Dr Eme Okoro who reminded the elders that Chief T.A. Orji not only wish to deliver these projects in record time, but wishes to be the first servant leader to administer the state from the new government house, which had become our next flag stop on-leaving the secretariat and conference centre sites. The new Government house is a 21st century vision being delivered by yet another expatriate firm. Perimeter fencing is almost completed awaiting completion of work at the kingly gate of dynamic style. The menacing threat of the heavy cloud abridged the elders schedule and we hurried to Abia North, where they savoured the joy of plying the long and extensive Nunya-Isuikwuato road and later retired to the country home of Chief J.D. Maduako of Terminus Hotels Aba, for a lavish and sumptuous dinner spiced with a never ending tale of their pleasant surprises at the huge construction site which Abia has suddenly become.
I look forward to another rewarding red-letter day as my elders gradually regain strength for a part two of their project tour. This honour will remain green.
Iyke Ogbonnaya wrote in from Umuahia.