As Abia state marks its 30 years of creation, our reporters Okereke Kate and Chibuike Enyioko, x-rayed the General Manager, Abia State Estates Development Agency, Sir Okechukwu Ndukwe on the development of the State, particularly the last six years of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. He also revealed the secret to his numerous achievements in the ABSEDA, as well as other vital issues. Except:
Abia State will be 30 years on the 27th of August 2021, can you appraise the progress so far made by the Okezie Ikpeazu’s led administration?
Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has done very well in so many areas, Education, Agriculture, Industrialization, Health, Infrastructure, among others. It is important to state that all through his administration, no worker has embarked on any form of strike. Though there may be some form of agitations or the other, because human wants are always insatiable. But the governor is always on ground to address the needs of the people. Governor Ikpeazu has done so well beyond the expectation of so many people.
How would you rate these feats and achievements of the Governor in the area of Industry, Commerce, Education, Security, among others?
In the area of Education as we all know, Education is the bedrock or backbone of any family or societal development. Any family that is not educated would not go far in life. The Governor has done so well in Education starting from Secondary Schools. For five years now, Abia has been taking the first position in senior WAEC, in Jamb, Abia has been doing well, also in the recent Law school result, students from Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), made first class in Law School. This was made possible, through the encouragement of the Governor in the area of education.
In terms of Industrialization, the governor is working tirelessly in raising campaign for the Made-in-Aba products. With the shoe and garments factory in Aba, Abia has started exporting Made-in-Aba goods. It will interest you to know that our governor wears Made-in-Aba clothes and shoes. He has popularized these products to the world, such that the whole world now appreciates it. Gone are the days Aba goods were seen as inferior. It is something that is practical not magic. Abia won best SME State in Nigeria. Golden Guinea is now on cause producing their different range of products.
In health sector, the governor has equipped and built health facilities, the Amachara General Hospital has been fully equipped, Cottage Hospital, Primary Health Centres are all standing well in Abia State. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the governor and his team tried so well in combating the spread of the pandemic.
Looking at the 30th anniversary of the State, do you think the state is developing in the same pace with its age?
Abia has grown and is still growing. Our problem in Abia is that people concentrate their assessment around the Isigate axis when accessing development in Umuahia without a closer look at some estates like Agbama Estate, Umuobia, Amakanma, IBB Phase 1&2, Okwuta-Isieke behind the new government house, the Unity Estate, Nsukwe, among others.
Very little percentage of Abians will never agree that the state has grown but the state has truly grown. Okezie Ikpeazu has really moved the state higher. Ikpeazu is not a facebook Governor. He is busy with grassroot developments, going down to communities to construct feeder roads. If you go down to different communities, you will see development going on. In my village, Amuzukwu, Ibeku, our road that was impassable before, has become an Express road.
Coming down to your Agency (ABSEDA), in time past, has been known for protest and loss of confidence by those who acquire plots of land through it. What has changed now?
The confidence has returned by the grace of God, we have built back a lot of confidence that we can deliver and do the work assigned to us by law. ABSEDA has come to stay.
ABSEDA is saddled with the responsibilities of acquiring land. Article 5, Sub-section A of the Abia State House of Assembly Law No. 4 of 2011, says ABSEDA has the sole responsibility of acquiring land for Housing Estates development. It is the only agency in the state to acquire plots of land and develop Housing Estate. Before now, it was a bit rough but since we came on board, by the grace of God, it has come to play its role as a statutory body under the office of the Executive Governor of Abia in Housing development of the state. We have successfully, without any form of rancour or chaos, opened up new sites for Estate development in Abia.
What is the magic behind these successes in ABSEDA?
After my youth service, I was employed by a French Multinational Company, as Area Sales Manager. I was involved in Sales/Marketing of their product. By the grace of God, I excelled there. When I came into ABSEDA, the same thing played out. When you know the God you are serving, you will do exploit. In ABSEDA, we believe in the power of God in whatever we do. That is why my story is like this. “We brought God to ABSEDA”. We invited God into ABSEDA to come and stay with us. That is the magic I will say that is behind my success story in ABSEDA. We asked God to come to ABSEDA and stay. Experience did not do this. Some people have experience and still fail, but when God is with you, you must succeed. When Joseph was in the house of Potiphar, he succeeded because God was with him. Also, when the spirit of God left Saul and entered David, everything David did was successful. The same way, when you bring God earnestly, in whatever you do, you will succeed.
Since I came on board as ABSEDA GM, we don’t beg for land, communities come to us and give us their land. This is something that has never happened before. Our sister bodies that are into land acquisition, will tell you how difficult it is to acquire a piece of land. But in our case, these communities call us to come and take their land. Is that not God? Does such a thing need experience?
Your staff are promptly paid, 22nd of every month, how did you do this?
There is an adage that says that, if you see palm fruits and you collect a little, no problem but it becomes a problem when you collect the whole bunch. It calls for discipline and focus. The bedrock of everything is to be disciplined and focused.
If you have it in your mind that your staff have families and they need money too as you do, then you will strive to meet their demands. As you take a little, give them a little too. Then things will be going smoothly.
What is your message to those who would want to do business with your Agency?
Our office is open to business. ABSEDA has come to stay. In the coming years, ABSEDA will be on its feet full time. Those who want to do business with us should have confidence in us and feel free to partake in every of our engagements.
What should Abians be expecting from ABSEDA and what do you intend to accomplish in the next two years under ABSEDA?
God keeping us alive, ABSEDA would continue to remain the envy of all. During a press interview when I was appointed as the GM, I told the press that I will turn this obsolete office to become the envy of all. Today that word has come through. People are now lobbying to take my seat. I want to reassure Abians that in the next two years, ABSEDA would be on its feet full time.
There are so many things that are contained in that statement “that ABSEDA will be on its feet full time”. As time goes on, our projects will begin to unfold.
What would you consider as a major challenge, since you came on board?
Our major challenge is fund. Other challenges are possibly administrative challenges that are officially tackled. Even though there are some administrative bureautic processes that may stand as a challenge. But generally, fund is our challenge.
Finally sir, what is your message to the good people of Abia state on the occasion, commemorating Abia at 30?
Thirty years is not an easy feat. I implore Abians to keep fit with the government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as well as, support the government in any way they can. Criticisms do not solve problems, except they are constructive. Bible says pray for those in Authority. All Abians should use this occasion to pray for the governor and his team for God to give them the grace to lead. I congratulate Abians and pray for more feats.
