Abia Is Strategic In Nigeria's Industrial Development - Abaribe
.Says Legacy Projects Must be Sustained
SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, (THEWILL) â€' Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has declared that Abia State particularly Aba is strategic in industrial development of Nigeria.
Abaribe also said it requires a clearheaded personality to sustain the various legacy projects, which foundation have been laid by Governor Theodore Orji.
The senator, who is aspiring to govern the state come 2015, made the declaration in Aba, in continuation of his state-wide consultation ahead of his formal declaration soon.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of supporters and stakeholders in Abia South Senatorial District in Rowmay Hotel on Saturday, Abaribe said Abia State is strategically located at a triangle that would attract investors.
He added that the entrepreneurial spirit and industry of the people of Abia would complement the effort of government, saying what is needed is to create the enabling environment.
'Aba is the best place in Nigeria in terms of manufacturing and trading. The Made-in-Aba Trade Fair that was held in Abuja sometime last year not only exposed the ingenuity of the people, but also attested to the fact that Abia State is a veritable platform to pilot Nigeria's industrial revolution', he said.
Abaribe however lamented the poor allocation to the state and even its low position in the hierarchy of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) states, saying it's an unfortunate situation that has tied the hands of government in the state.
On the legacy projects, Abaribe said the state governor has laid a solid foundation, which the people would soon appreciate, but declared that if given the mandate, he would build on the already laid foundation.
Responding, Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Chinwe Nwanganga, speaking for Ugwunagbo Local Government extolled Abaribe, saying he was successful, in the two previous elections, and this one will not be an exception. He added that the district is gratified that an Ukwa-Ngwa son shall be governor of Abia State.
Chief Isaac Ogbonna, who spoke for Obi Ngwa Local Government, said the verdict by the people that Abaribe is the clear and best choice for the governorship is overwhelming and cannot be faulted by any Abian.
Super High Chief Israel Nwahunanya, a member of the state executive council, and who spoke on behalf of Ukwa East Local Government, extolled Abaribe's qualities and expressed the zone's support for his aspirations.
Chief Chris Nkwonta, a senatorial aspirant, stated that while Ukwa people strongly support Abaribe, they ask that the Ngwa in Abia South cede the Senate seat to Ukwa for the sake of justice that Ukwa Ngwa are seeking from Abia people.
In the same vein, the PDP Zonal Chairman for the Zone, Navy Captain Ebere (rtd), said the zone is happy with Senator Abaribe, not only for his various contributions to the growth of the party in the state but also the fact that he is most qualified to pilot the affairs of the state.
Also speaking at the occasion, PDP Zonal Women Leader, Mrs. Chikodi Nwankudu, assured Abaribe that women are united in his support. The consultation to the zone was the third in the series, which has seen him visiting the other two senatorial districts in the state.
EMMA UCHE, ABUJA