Abia State Commissioner for Information, Barrister Eze Chikamnayo, has expressed optimism that the Executive Governor of the State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, will finish all his ongoing projects before his tenure elapses in 2023.
The Commissioner while featuring on AFTELEVISION Programme ‘Focal Point’ on Thursday, February 10, assured Abians that governor Ikpeazu is bent on leaving sustainable projects in the state before he vacates office.
“He is not just rebuilding Abia, he is rebuilding Abia in a sustainable manner with projects that will stand the test of time”.
Chikamnayo noted that governor Ikpeazu have rebuilt Abia in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME), infrastructure, the agricultural sector, among others which are currently being showcased using project ‘Rebuilder 365’.
“The golden epoch of governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and the word ‘Rebuilder’ encapsulates what he has done since 2015 and is still doing until he hands over to the next governor.”
He refuted speculations that the project ‘Rebuilder 365’ is an advertorial strategy, noting that the project was conceived to account to Abians the stewardship of the governor since 2015 till date as required by the constitution.
Speaking further on the rebuilding projects of the governor, the information boss noted that governor Ikpeazu, considering the plights of residents of Isingwu-Umuda and Amuzukwu area, who were sent packing by erosion, rebuilt the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in the state to tackle the menace.
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“Governor Ikpeazu came, the NEWMAP that was more or less existing in name, he revamped it completely, restored it to become a recognized and trusted ally to development agencies and then he paid all the counterpart funds and today, Umuda -Isingwu, all the way around Amuzukwu, all the houses people, are now going back to reclaim their properties.”
On the agricultural sector, Chikamnayo noted that the governor has transformed the sector which before his emergence was moribund.
He cited the abandoned Abia cashew plantation at Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA of the State, which the governor have now introduced a system for replacing old trees with new seedlings.
“Governor Ikpeazu went in there and brought a new system whereby the cashews are now being replaced with new seedlings. He may not be there when they will grow, but he has planted for the next generation of Abia. The same thing he did in the palm sector where he got over 4million triennial seedlings.”
“Ikpezu has not just done something, he has done something significant. Ikpeazu is the most innovative governor in Nigeria, he has established so many innovations, agencies that has never been before.
Some of the innovations of the governor listed by the Commissioner are; Abia Diaspora Commission, Abia Tele Initiative, Abia Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), etc.
Speaking on the ongoing projects in Aba, the commercial city of the state, the Commissioner assured that the projects initiated by the governor are on the stage of completion, adding that all will be completed within the tenure of governor Ikpeazu.
He noted that the challenges faced on the road is owed to the terrain which makes the work seemingly delayed.
The commissioner regretted the tragic accident that happened at Ahia Udele Abattoir in Ogbor Hill Aba, which could have been avoided if the occupants had heeded to government’s age long directive of vacating the area.
Chikamnayo maintained that the abattoir will remain closed and shop owners are mandated to move to the new allocated sites.
“The death of every Abian diminishes us. One Abian that is hurt, all of us are hurt and we ask ourself, have you done all that should be done to prevent such thing?
“Governor Ikpeazu is a very responsible and responsive governor, and he is somebody that is excessively built with human kindness and compassion. Governor Ikpeazu is loving and equally firm” the information boss said.
