Driving Our Commitments In 2014
Like other years, 2013 has inevitably emptied into the stockpiles of
history. For some, it willalways evoke a feeling of accomplishment while
for others; it is stacked with sad andunfortunate memories they may not
wish recall. The realty of life is that God has designed it to function as
“different strokes for different folks” Let me reiterate my felicitations
to ourholidaymakers, majority of who have since returned to base. I have
never hidden my excitement for the commemorative yuletide season, given
the occasion it freely provides for us to exchange banters and
pleasantries with our kits and kin living within and in the Diaspora, who
during such season retire to their ancestral roots to participate and
consummate the flurry of joy associated with the season.
The yuletide as recently and globally consummated, also helps to
facilitate and illuminate the unquantifiable affection of God for mankind,
which compassionately gave rise to the royal birth of his son for the
salvation of our strayed souls.
God intended that His affection and compassion should be contagious, so we
could have a global environment harmoniously ruled by love, unity and
honesty.
Each time we lose sight of these essentialities; we are confined to a
reckless race for self-satisfaction and other unwholesome indulgencies.
But more importantly, the outstanding effect of our saviour's deep-seated
love and compassion had often resonated in the administration of our
stewardship.
Consequently, the current breath of fresh air in Abia State is a healthy
fallout of the clannish sense of belonging carefully and thoughtfully
instituted amongst our people. Life and the aggregation of what it
portends, has taught us that we can only be remembered by the legacies we
leave behind and the gloomy faces we were able to brighten up.
The beginning of another year has made it essentially needful to
re-emphasize our avowal in driving our commitment for the continuous good
of Abians and humanity in general. The first critical importance of
triumphing over political alienation & disenchantment hitherto prevalent
in the State ushered the veritable platform for the flourishing of other
blue- prints. The Abia project is a participatory endeavour where
strategic ideas necessary for the stimulation of our socio-economic growth
have been lavishly encouraged.
The atmosphere of peace and tranquility prevalent in Abia has enabled
Government not to renege in maintaining the tempo of development as
typified by the scores of activities taking place in the infrastructural
drive of the state.
My personal and emotive debt of gratitude is through this medium gladly
conveyed to all dear brothers and sisters who during the holidays ventured
on a tourist appreciation of the practical indications of our loyal
stewardship located here and there. Not a few of them graciously got back
to us, acknowledging and identifying with the remarkable difference in the
face of Abia proudly championed by the structural revolution going on in
Umuahia and other geo-political entities of the State.
The Ubani Market movement was not wishful thinking given what has become
of the old Umuahia Market. Having completed the evacuation of the old
market site, Government will make provision for the construction of state
of the art recreation garden to enhance the aesthetic beauty of Umuahia
the State Capital.
The new Market Complex, which presently boasts of over 10,000 shops and
still counting, is carefully and futuristically located in a very
conducive environment, hugely spacious enough to accommodate over 2000
cars and modern parks for conveyance of goods and services.
Contrary to what obtained at the old market site, the new Market Complex
is equipped with a functional Fire Service Station capable of rising to
any occasion. The security radar, tightly securing the state has been
extended to the market, through the presence of modern Police Station to
adequately deal with all security matters arising from the market. New and
old roads, leading to the market are being constructed and expanded.
The foreseeable long run effect will lead to increase in access roads in
the Capital territory. The inevitable relocation of Umuahia Market to
Ubani neighborhood yielded the expected result of decongesting the
hitherto clustered and chaotic Isi-gate and Okpara Square. Government will
hopefully replicate same in Aba through the on-going construction of Aba
Mega-Shopping Mallsbeing powered in synergy with private investors.
Government is not unmindful of the glaring reality that Ariaria
International Market cannot be stretched beyond its present limit hence
the vitality of expansion and modernity. Our health care sector which was
at its lowest before the advent of our divine administration has been
re-engineered to produce eye wondering and ear tingling milestones. To us
the Specialist Hospital situated in Umuahia and Aba and recently equipped
with sophisticated dialysis facilities is no longer news. What has become
the new craze is the on-going and ambitious 100 bed Specialist Hospitals
located in nine Local Government Areas of the State and due to be
celebrated soonest, and the current installation of a modern eye center to
take care of all eye ailments.
Our commitment in 2014 will be driven to establish new grounds and
inaugurate projects which foundations were flagged off few seasons ago.
This will include the prestigious InternationalConference Center built to
accommodate over 5,000 guests in one seating and for which tastefully
furnished hotels sprouting here and there are waiting in the wings to
partake in itsexhilarating flurry of local and international activities.
Also, to be inaugurated, will include the (ICT) compliant e-library well
located for enhancement of learning. The gigantic and imposing twin
workers secretariat also to be inaugurated will undoubtedly free us from
the nightmare and unacceptable lay back of operating from old and
antiquated classroom blocks and engender the requisite motivation critical
for effective work delivery in our civil service system.
The classical new government house will be delivered to the good people of
Abia state and deservedly free our state from the retrogressive past of
operating from a rented apartment.
The prestigious High court complex in Umuahia and Aba, which has become a
tourist attraction of some sort, will also be delivered to the good people
of Abia State in 2014.
Every opportunity to interact with our people, calls to mind our
commitment to uphold the virtues of equity, justice and fair play, which
our founding fathers bequeathed the state and we shall not renege in
flying that flag.
T. A. Orji. Governor of Abia State wrote in from Umuahia