Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called on Abians to desist from vocalizing negative narratives against the state pointing out that the state cannot make progress if it’s inhabitants continue to demarket it because of selfish reasons.
Governor Ikpeazu who made the call, Thursday,when a delegation of the Inter Party Advisory Council IPAC, Abia State Chapter led by its Chairman, CeeKay Igara,paid him a courtesy visit at Government House Umuahia, advised Abians to be partners in the development and growth of the state.
He cautioned against presenting Abia and as a non functional state noting that despite challenges encountered,the state under his leadership has continued to make positive impacts in various sectors of the state economy including ,ease of doing business and direct foreign investment, promotion of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises among others.
Ikpeazu said, “We do not have any other state apart from Abia and we can not really make progress if we pull our state down. A lot of people think that they can become popular by vocalizing negative narratives against their state. We forget that the individual and his generation unborn will have to bear the burden of a completely demarketed state.
“I am proud to be leading a state of highly resourceful and brilliant individuals that have made their marks in all spheres of human endeavour. Even as we reflect on the anniversary of our great state, the thoughts that flood my head are thoughts of great people.
“I find it difficult to associate with people who do not see anything good in Abia. Today and consistently since 2015, Abia has been recognised as the SME Capital of this country. Abia is perhaps the only state that has remained active in exportation of all kinds of goods and items especially in the leather and garment sub sector irrespective of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“When people think Abia today,they remember Abia as the number one state in West African Examinations back to back for four years. The remember our manufacturing prowess.
“My dream of creating a state that will be repository of skilled labour in certain sub sectors is beginning to unfold before our eyes. So i am sure that despite the over 650 classroom blocks,despite the model schools, despite road infrastructure,the state government is making impacts in manufacturing and production”.
Ikpeazu however pointed out that although the present adminstration has “not done everything”, it has achieved alot in terms of development adding that Abia is certainly on the right track while the narrative about the state is beginning to change for the better.
He assured that his government will remain tenacious and committed in completing all ongoing projects as well as open up new vistas of development.
He thanked IPAC leadership for their support to his adminstration saying that “the kind of alternative voice IPAC is presenting is such that everyone understands that you people are great patriots who want the growth and development of Abia. This indeed should be the driving force behind every individual or person that is operating within the political space”.
The Governor used the occasion to disclose that contrary to news making rounds,Newmap and Worldbank are still active in Abia state with Newmap is currently handling the Ndiegoro flood control project.
While disclosing that the Ohanku,Ngwa and Uratta roads will be completed before he leaves office,the Governor disclosed that contrary to insinuations that the NEWMAP has exited the state,the World Bank gave the state additional eleven months for the Ndiegoro flood control project.
Earlier, the state Chairman of IPAC Hon Ceekay Igara thanked the Governor for providing the platform for IPAC to interface with his government and for the enhanced security in the state and urged him to sustain it.
He informed the Governor that the state will be hosting the south East IPAC to a 2-day retreat during which time they will be expecting ongoing and completed projects by his government, adding that he has formed a think- tank to support the development of the state through the help of Abians in Diaspora.
providing the platform for IPAC to interface with his government and for the enhanced security in the state and urged him to sustain it.
