my friend what will you say about this newly constructed roads in Abia state

some of the roads in Abia state.

THERE comes a time in the history of a people when God blesses them with a leader with a particular mandate. For the people of Abia, aptly called God’s Own State, there is every indication that the supplication of the people unto their Maker for a divine lifting of afflicted yoke caused by long period of political and economic slavery has attracted divine intervention.
The result today is a true reflection of the Biblical saying that when the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice. For Governor Theodore Orji, under whose administration the state has seen the total paradigm shift in both governance and content of service delivery, the abundance of God’s mercy upon him and the mandate cannot be over-emphasised.
From a fluttering beginning due to known consequence of deceitful political alliance akin to the kind of marriage between the cow and the butcher, governance and service delivery in a democratic setting had a huge question mark. However, with determination and rare courage though not without pockets of adulterated opposition, the Governor was able to rescue the state from the chambers of dark forces. Then came his vow and promise to the people of the state to hold him accountable for all actions and inaction(s) of his administration. With just a year into his second term of office, Governor Orji has left no one in doubt that indeed some dark forces were the cogs on the wheels of the progress of the state.
Within the period under review, the proportion of infrastructural development in the state has witnessed a high commensurate yield which has also left few opposing scoundrels in the state with no other option than to merely haul sand to give the impression that it is fulfilling all righteousness. From the massive infrastructures being put up in the state capital city Umuahia, to the courageous tackling of the infrastructural challenges in Aba the commercial heart beat of the state and the entire East, the present administration has left no one in doubt of its mission.

Just recently, Governor Orji etched his regime’s name in gold when it took care of a perennial problem that had defied solution to previous administrations in the state in the last 20 years. The popular Ukwu-Mango leading into Ariaria which had before now turned into a forest due to its impregnable nature, has today become a beautiful thorough fare for commuters. Hate or like him, the impact of the actualised dream will for a very long time remain evergreen in the minds of the residents of the city. The glory, of course, knows its destination. The residents of Aba have never had it so good.
Under the same period, the Governor had rehabilitated the Ama-Ogbenna, Okigwe road, the Osusu- Omuma Road, which roads were in the year 2000 “politically” commissioned by the then Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. From Osusu, the story moved to Danfodio by East, to Our Lady of Lourdes, and the Old Express by Samek. The government in response to the welfare of students and staff of the Abia State Polytechnic Aba, constructed an over-head bridge to reduce the rate of vehicular accidents in front of the campus.
Coming to the state capital, the story has truly changed. People of Amaeke where burials are held only during dry seasons have heaved a sigh of great relief. The non-existing Amaeke road that could better pass as a slave-trade route has been fully rehabilitated and commissioned. It is even an unbelievable story for people of Ukome and Mbom where Nwa-bekee (local reference to development) has eventually visited. For the years that they had existed, Mbom has never seen a tarred road since creation. Same story is now told in Emede who for many decades have survived through “jump and pass” infrastructural development. Still counting, it is positive turn-around for the World-Bank-Agbama Road, Umuafai-Lodu-Ahiaeke road, Okwuta-Isieke, Okwoyi-Iyienyi as well as the Nkata-Alike Umukabia-Ohuhu road.
In the Southern Senatorial Zone, the century-old adage that there is no short route to Aro (an acronym for Arochukwu) is no longer obtainable. Under Ochendo, the long stretch Arochukwu road from Ndi-Uduma Awoke in OhafiA Local Government is now being constructed.

This is in addition to the Amaekpu-Okagwe road in same Ohafia. It is equally a historic account from Ndi Okorie Abam down to Ndi- Itu. One striking feature in Abia is that the road constructions are carried out by contractors who upon the award of the jobs get instant mobilisation. This is a sharp contrast from the reigning college manual labour roads in some neighbouring states.
As we read this, the state government is very responsive of the need to ensure that all arms of government are functioning optimally, hence the need for human and capacity building. The state workforce is patiently waiting for the completion and commissioning of the State Secretariat with a complete over-haul of the old one. This is just as the two cities of Aba and Umuahia are seeing the eloquent presence of the judiciary made manifest with the dual construction of two gigantic High Court complexes.
The health sector record is a positive statement already made, hence it would be trite to begin fresh enumeration.
It is nothing to the residents of the State that despite all the efforts of the State government, the government is still under the attack and bad press of a few. It is also quite amusing that some whiff of criticism comes from some ignorant sections outside the state. This is essentially from those who felt they should join the fray because there is a bandwagon rush.

I recall a recent publication, authored by T.A. Orji on the stimulating role of infrastructure in driving investment. He pledged his determination to religiously pursue same in Abia state.

As the governor’s resolution constantly, resonates the disclosure is that he has not derailed. The utmost importance of flushing out human headaches propelled the onslaught on kidnapping and every semblance of crime in Abia State.

Abia has comparatively become a safe haven for investment, having refused to tolerate and or allow a relapse to the frightening Somali past, which traumatized the people and business. Scarcely had the people exhausted the consummation of that security vista when the gubernatorial stewardship of T.A. Orji landed them light. Let there be light and the lingering mystery of Ohiya Power Station was demystified to evacuate power to the people. Hotels of prestigious class and relaxation spots of note are sprouting like mushrooms in strategic corners of the state.

I can say for the umpteenth time and without fear of contradiction that T.A Orji inherited a rather hollow state lacking in identity. The reliable measures instituted by government are rapidly correcting the sorry past of the state, and Abia has T.A Orji to appreciate for this paradigm shift.

The attendant success story of Abia State Specialist Hospital Aba & Umuahia provided the magnetic referral, which the state is flaunting to accommodate others. The Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre is about to surpass its current and essential capacity to diagnose and treat delicate health situations to the treatment of eye related ailments and administration of kidney dialysis. The Amachara annex is playing host to new and modernized buildings preparatory to the commencement of Child Care Center. Me-Cure Health Services of India, partnered in the success story of the Specialist Hospital through the provision of facilities for a Comprehensive Diagnosis, obtainable any where in the world. The State of Abia, had earlier partnered with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for the construction and dedication of Health Centres exceeding 210 located in all the nooks and crannies of the three geo-political zones of the state.

With the recent desire of Americare U.S.A to build an International Hospital at Obuaku in Ukwa west local Government Area in Liaison with Abians in diaspora, Abia will soon become an International destination in the treatment of varied health situations. Beyond the health care sector, the receptive and convivial environment prevalent in Abia state is attracting other blue-chip investors’ majority of who have signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government. Strategic sectors necessary for stimulating the economy will essentially benefit in this regard.

In the petroleum sector, Alkamali Petroleum of Dubai triumphed over fellow competitors to secure government’s nod in the signing of Memorandum Of Understanding (M.O.U) to facilitate their genuine desire to build a Petroleum Refinery at Owaza the oil enclave of Abia State located in Ukwa-west local Government area.

The mass employing capacity of this sector will essentially depopulate the labour market in Abia State when Alkamali comes on stream.

In something similar to that, the return of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (N.N.P.C) Osisioma depot is praise worthy development. Activities have since picked up and comatose allied businesses are springing back to life. These healthy developments will positively rub-off on the concerted war against crime and social vices. Banks are streaming back to the depot, the consequent of which is that more hands will be conscripted to manage money and facilities.

Beyond the petroleum sector, the government of Abia state is encouraging investment in the huge and mass-employing cement sector. Juno-hermes is pioneering that initiative and is poised to tap from the abundant presence of lime stone at Arochukwu in actualizing that dream.

I am particularly glad to reveal that the deceptive and lackluster approach of elf riel in the quest to re-build Abia palm at Ohambele in Ukwa-east Local government Area has been halted. Government is aware of the inherent potentials prevalent in the Palm Oil Business. To that effect, the new services of a Malaysian firm will hopefully restore the palm oil bliss of the State instituted decades ago by the legendry Michael Okpara of blessed memory. Government is racing to reverse the largely un-tapped quarry deposit at Lokpa in Umunneochi Local Government Area. Consequently an Irish firm is leading the pact to stimulate the extraction of chippings for several construction initiatives.

The housing sector is evidently not left alone, given that several mortgage firms are already pitching their tents in the State. Aso Savings and Loans are powering the on-going Ochendo Housing Estate, located at Ohiya neighbourhood in Umuahia South Local Government Area. Slogani properties had earlier kick started the construction of Diamond Estate at Umuobia in association with Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

The Management of Daar Communications Plc, Operators of Ray Power F.M and African Independent Television were on hand to Parley with the government of Abia state. The result of that overtures, is that Ray Power F.M is already on the airwaves of Abia State testing their transmission stations.

Pall Mall is driving Shop Rite to Abia State. To that effect, the South-African giant in chain stores has consented to the strategic suitability of Old Garki which government provided for a first class shopping mall.

This investment traffic will positively rub off on the political and socio-economic indices of the state in the long run. Abia under T.A Orji is beginning to feel the real taste of focused leadership.
http://akudoude..com/2012/09/appraising-investment-traffic-in-abia.html

May the souls of Lawrence Maduka, Eleke Chukwu, Mandy Onuoha and all those who were victims of OUK’s fetish politics, rest in peace.

OUK is asking Abians to forgive him. I make bold to tell him that forgiveness is of God but because we are humans he would need a widely covered public confession for us to start believing him. OUK it was who introduced OKIJA into Abia Politics. By taking budding youths and political faithfuls to OKIJA SHRINE to swear to an oath of secrecy and allegiance, you mortgaged their future and apart from sending many of them to their early graves, you set a bad precedence in the annals of Abia political history.

Those who refused to swear were met with naked aggression. T hose who swore were ted forever to the apron string of a dare devil deity. Just from where will Abians start to forgive OUK.

OUK dealt with Abia and Abians. He collaborated with his mother and siblings to strip Abia economy naked. Those who think I am crying foul should ask OUK one single thing he did in a whole eight years he was globe trotting with the borrowed robe of ACTION GOVERNOR.

Forgiveness is of God. As humans, we know that nobody can eat omelets without breaking eggs. Let OUK appease the very many souls he wasted. Let him return OKIJA staff that he collected on behalf of Abians. Let him compensate the very many businessmen and politicians who he led down the valley of no return. Those who swore to OKIJA oath and were made Councillors and appointed into other positions and were dumped weeks after. At the last count, there were over 2,000 of them with the domino effect on at least 200,000 Abians. Just how is he going to do this?. What manner of forgiveness? Harry, Onu, Udeala, Amarachi and Fistman just to mention but a few were all victims of OUK’s do – or die politics.

Except his sole objective is to insult our collective intelligence, he should seek genuine forgiveness. Abia bleeds and until such time the man who maimed it confesses and asks for forgiveness, we will continue to keep OUK in the darkest side of Abia economic and political history.
http://thejuristlaws..com/2012/09/ouk-what-manner-of-forgiveness.html

Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji says that the state would pay salaries and pensions of teachers in the schools recently handed over to their original owners till 2015.

The governor stated this at a ceremony to mark the return of schools to the owners in Umuahia, last Friday.

Orji said thegovernment will support such schools through the payment of the teachers salary and pension till 2015, as the teachers are expected to remain in suchschools, unless those who want to change and would be posted out.

He recalled that the handing over includes both privately owned schools and those established by the missionaries which were taken over by the government of the defunct East Central State after the civil war in 1970.

While handing over 19 schools to the original owners,Orji said that the decision to hand over the schools back to their original owners
is final as it is backed by legislation.

The governor lamented that the school system in the 60s were an epitome of discipline, quality education and also helped to shape the future of the country, stressing that such is no longer the case.

He expressed hope that the return of the schools to their owners would increase the quality of education and increase discipline among the students.

Senator Ike Nwachukwu who was the chairman of the occasion posited that before the government took over the schools in 1970, the standard of education was high, as discipline wass the order of the day which guaranteed the production of quality graduates.

Nwachukwu further blamed poor management for the decay in the school system, arguing that such was not obtained when the schools were being
run by the missionaries.

He expressed gratitude to the governor for the decision to return the schools to their original owners, adding that the move would uplift the standard of education and called on those who will receive the schools to manage them well.

Responding, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia, Most Rev Lucius Ugorji, thanked the governor and assured that they will instil discipline also help to improve the standard of education.

Pointblanknews.com gathered that Qua Iboe Church, now United Evangelical Church(UEC) got Wilcox Memorial Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogbor Hill, Aba, while the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) got Ihie High school.

Others include the Presbyterian Church which got All Saints Secondaryt Sdchool, Ehere, Aba,amongst others.
http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/handover-of-schools-to-owners-abia-government-to-pay-salaries-of-teachers-till-2015/

Barely two months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot at Osisioma, Abia State was re-opened, the state government Wednesday alleged moves to shut down the depot again over alleged pipeline vandalism.

The row was sparked by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited (PPMC) which has alleged that it has lost 2,656,077 litres of petrol valued at N232,831,709.82 due to new points of vandalism along the pipeline segment from Port Harcourt to Aba.

In a letter dated August 6, 2012 signed by Dr. A. Fagbure on behalf of the managing director of PPMC and addressed to the Secretary to Abia State Government (SSG), the company claimed that it sustained some loses through vandalism on the pipelines segment from Port Harcourt to Aba between July 5 and July 19, 2012.

The PPMC claimed that, “the vandals carried out these nefarious activities undetected” along the Eleme axis in Rivers State and Obuaku and Owaza in Abia State, noting that the “multiple vandalisms” occurred at kilometres 3.38, 3.98, 4.10, 5.10 (2points), 6.3, 7.35, 7.40, 13.4 all in Eleme axis. Along the Abia axis the PPMC said that vandalism occurred at kilometre 19.1 at Obuaku and 26.6 at Owaza.

But, the state Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Chief Don Ubani, at a press conference, faulted the claims of PPMC, saying both his ministry and the military offering protection to oil pipelines have investigated and found that there was no truth in the claims of vandalism.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ppmc-abia-bicker-over-pipeline-vandalism/124841/

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, Tuesday inaugurated the board for the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), saying it “must be implemented with human face for the benefit of the needy and the entire state.”

He said the state’s share of the N411.036 billion accruing to states and N203.23 billion for the local government areas would be directed to the SURE programme for the execution of “carefully designed” projects in “carefully selected areas”.

Based on this, he explained that the state would wait for a directive from the Federal Government before the board would commence utilisation of the SURE-P fund, which he confirmed, had been kept in a dedicated account.

According to him, the board would supervise the way the subsidy money is utilised “to ensure accountability in the implementation of identified projects.

The governor also commended the Federal Government for partially removing the subsidy on petroleum products because of the burden it imposed on government and more “especially as the subsidy, disproportionately benefited the wealthy and the oil cabals” at the expense of the masses.

“Subsidy removal therefore becomes reasonable if resources saved from subsidy are re-directed to serve the entire Nigerians in her areas of need, which can be made through the SURE-P,” Orji said.

He said the 11-member board of SURE-P was carefully selected among eminent men and women that “will in line with our government’s tenets of transparency, integrity and accountability, ensure that Sure-P is implemented with a human face.”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/orji-wants-sure-p-implemented-with-human-face/124746/

“My challenge in life is the people, not money. When anybody says I asked him not to work, the person is not being sincere. For instance, I own The Sun newspapers; I don’t interfere in their day-to-day job. I like process, I like system, and this is what most Nigerians lack because they were not prepared for leadership.

OUK was credited with the lines above in a recent interview in trying to justify how he underdeveloped Abia.

Thank God he has just accepted, may be for the first time that he owns SUN NEWSPAPERS. Many people did not know that the power generating set being used by SUN NEWSPAPERS was bought by Abia State Government’s money and was originally designated for use for the revival of NATIONAL AMBASSADOR, a newspaper publishing company owned by the Abia State Government. OUK did not consider AMABASSADOR fit to live, that was why he converted the generating set to his personal property. Abians by his calculation were not deserving of a flourishing newspaper business with its attendant economic advantages that was why he killed the dream of having a state run newspaper.

Now, I am a liar. Agreed! Let all those who think I am crying foul ask OUK whether he was richer than Abia State, or more enterprising than Abians that he could not convert the ingenuity of running a newspaper to the advantage of the State that was entrusted in his care.

It is a globally accepted fact that when you take up appointments/elective positions as a private person, your businesses suffer for it. It is also true that unless you are acutely corrupt, your business may struggle to survive while you are away, given the kind of one man business Nigerians run. This is an incontrovertible fact. So, OUK was able to make so much money to run SUN NEWSPAPERS, even when he was still Governor? The same SUN he was also using to compel MDAs to lavishly spend Abia State government’s money. If his mother was celebrating even his dog’s birthday, every Ministry, Department or Agency in Abia State must take a full page to congratulate.

I ask, why did OUK not bring his business acumen to bear in the running of affairs of Abia State Government? Would it not have been viable to revive the state owned newspaper, resurrect he many industries that were hitherto spinning money for the state and indeed make Abia economy work? Instead, he concentrated on his personal pocket and further enriched himself at the detriment of the state. He should thank his stars that TAO is a compassionate person else he would have finished him like they finished Chimaraoke in Enugu. Go to Enugu, all those properties he acquired with State Government money are under lock and key till date because the government is not as tolerant as the one we have in Abia.
http://thejuristlaws..com/2012/09/ouk-killed-national-ambassador-for-sun.html

Ordinarily, I would have wished OUK well in his self appointed political exile. I had thought he was genuinely resting so that the generation he caused so much pain would have passed away before he could think of inundating us with the decision to RETURN.

OUK was in the saddle in Abi
a State for eight years and his only achievement was he sustained a long – drawn battle with OBJ. In his mind, that made him a super champion and self appointed Igbo leader.

Few weeks after he was sworn in, he took off in break neck speed. Little did Abians know that he was set to hoodwink them. He did and successfully too, otherwise he would not be thinking of returning to politics in a State he labored so much to under develop.

For those who brand FRANKIE JAMES an alarmist and wet blanket, these are my reasons:

1. All the roads OUK did in Aba collapsed after four months. Ask people who lived in Cemetry ( he selfishly renamed it Orji Uzor kalu Road), Osusu, Omuma and Umule.
2. If he truly constructed roads, Aba would not be complaining of poor and dilapidated roads just a week after he left office. That was not what happened to Aka Road in Uyo done by Obong Victor Attah.
3. While Chimaraoke Nnamani was busy transforming Park Lane to a world class tertiary health facility, OUK killed ABSUTH as workers were once owed eleven months arrears of salaries. It was the period his ODIUKO mother ordered the keys to the hospital be returned to her as the workers could go to hell for all she cares.
4. While Achike was building the gigantic workers Secretariat in new owerri, OUK was constructing his CAMP NEYA country home at Igberre. That structure at the time was being maintained by over fifty paid staff. This people were paid from the Government House.
5. Ibori with all his thievery status was still able to build a world class Stadium in Delta State while OUK, even with all the millions of dollars he got through Enyimba only managed to facelift the Township Stadium at Aba. OUK shamelessly tagged that rag tag arrangement an INTERNATIONAL STADIUM.
6. Sam Egwu did so well to make Abakliki look like a Capital. That was at a time when the only structure Umuahia had was the poorly constructed Okpara Auditorium which OUK inherited.
7. OUK lived in a rented Govt. House for eight years and never thought it good to find a befitting and sound structure called a Government House. I am sure few Abians know that the Govt. House where he lived is owned largely by the Omeruahs and their neighbors
8. It was during his regime that shops were littered everywhere in Ariaria thus distorting the once well laid out market. It was build twenty, take ten and give ODIUKO ten. Today, erosion threatens to annihilate traders and residents around the market. From 1999 – 2007, it was widely believed (and that is true) that more shops were erected than there were in the market’s over thirty years existence before then.
9. This is the same thing he did in Abia Poly, causing his Igbere kinsmen to be employed more than the institution’s lean resources could carry. What was the need of taking the glory for employment that you could not honestly fund? Which AbiaPoly did he build? Abia still remains the only State in the South East with one Federal Higher Institution. That was the standard OUK set.
Abia just started afresh because OUK wasted twelve solid years (yes twelve because he held the State under his firm grip until July 2010). I belive this because it was after July 2010, that Umuahia started looking like a State Capital. For those who think he succeeded with Enyimba, they should ask what Enyimba did with all that money. No stadium, no corporate office, no office accommodation and unfortunately no bank account. What manner of achievement is that?

Let OUK allow sufficient time for the injury he caused us to heal. I beg him in the name of anything he holds scared.
http://thejuristlaws..com/2012/09/how-ouk-underdeveloped-abia-state.html

On August 27, 2012 the government and the people of Abia State celebrated with fanfare, the 21 years of existence of the state, which was carved out from the old Imo State by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. But Abia which prides itself as “God’s Own State” appears to have just rediscovered itself. The journey into self-rediscovery is what the government and the people of Abia rolled out the drums to celebrate as the state is now placed on a new foundation for growth.

The concept of new foundation was initiated by the state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, in September last year, when he marked the first 100 days of his second term in office. It was a move said to have been propelled by his genuine assessment of how Abia had fared after two decades of existence as a component state in the Nigerian federation.

Orji’s assessment was damning as he pointed out that the state had not lived up to the dreams of its founding fathers in terms of decent urban areas, durable infrastructure and creation of jobs. “The reasons for these are that some of our past leaders failed to look beyond the needs of the moment,” he said, adding: “They failed to have the sense of justice; failed to listen to their conscience and failed to galvanise the mutual purpose and can-do spirits of Abians.”

He, however, promised to reverse the static movement of the state by laying a new foundation on which Abia would soar endlessly. Thus, the 21 anniversary became an ideal opportunity to assess how far Orji has gone in laying the new foundation and the shape it has taken. In his goodwill message, delivered by the Deputy Governor, Chief Emeka Ananaba, at the grand finale of Abia Day 2012, the governor told the people of the state that the new foundation had not only been laid, but had also taken shape.

According to him, the new foundation rests on his “legacy projects” which had taken off and which he had also vowed to complete before leaving the Government House Umuahia in 2015. “Our new state Government House foundation has been laid, so is our International Conference Centre; our new Civil Service Secretariat, numerous housing estates, our various market developments, and solutions found for some of our difficult road infrastructure are the many developing structures of our legacy projects which support an enduring idea of a state, its economy, politics, and public service orientation,” he said.

Orji alluded to the fact that the projects constitute the foundation for the new face of Abia. “Our government is doing all these work of a ‘founding government’ 20 years after the creation of Abia State. That is all the more reason he lamented that Abia’s past was eaten by locusts, hence he was certain that what we are doing for our state will tomorrow become the cardinal pillars and foundation stones of this state.”

It may have appeared preposterous for the governor to be talking of a new foundation for Abia after 21 years of existence. But Orji has always argued that having inherited a house built on a faulty foundation, there was nothing else to do other than knock it down and start afresh with a better foundation. He reasoned that it was nothing to be ashamed to start a new foundation for Abia if only to get it right instead of allowing the state to be sailing like a ship without rudder.

“All the projects that we have embarked on have been carefully selected to reflect the urgent mood of our State. A mood of an Abia State that is now ready to take its collective destiny in its hands, and move in unison with our citizens, and without being a captive of one group or one family,” Orji said in his anniversary message.

Indeed, the mood of the time among the people is that the state had begun to move and in the right direction. Even the hitherto fractious and divisive Abia political elite have caught the infectious mood of the moment as they have rallied round the governor to ensure that the new found momentum of development is sustained.

Chairman of Abia State Advisory Council, Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe, commented on the newfound unity among the Abia political elite and said it was made possible because “we now have a governor who behaves like a human being.”

He recalled: “In time past, we tried to bring all of you (elite) from outside so that we can exchange views but it did not work. The elite, even those in the same political party, found it very difficult to subsume their personal interests for the overall interest of the state hence the constant squabbles. But all that has changed for good.”

Ezeikpe, who ranks among the founding fathers of the state, was elated that the elite have found a rallying point in the governor, noting that Abia would be better for it. The elder statesman described Orji as a governor who “listens to advice and promptly implements the good ones.”

Chairman, Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Chidi Okoroafor, captured the mood in the sermon delivered at a thanksgiving service preceding an award ceremony to honour the state indigenes who have distinguished themselves in their fields. He declared that the future of Abia is bright and that the state is moving forward in a positive way. According to him, not only the economy but every other facet would be better.

“I do not believe we have seen the best of everything; the best is yet to come,” he said, urging the people of the state to support their governor and pray for him to succeed in his avowed mission to expand the frontiers of development in the State.”

At the ceremony the contentious Abia Charter of Equity echoed as Ezeikpe called on the political leaders to always abide by the provisions of the document with a view to ensuring that no component part of the state is marginalized. The Charter of Equity had in the past been subjected to various interpretations and in some cases, outright denial of its existence as politicians took positions that favoured them at any particular point in time.

Ezeikpe, who was among those that worked for the creation of the state, apparently put to rest the issue of whether the charter exists or not. He explained that the document was drafted to assuage the fears of marginalisation being expressed by some parts of the state when the campaigners for Abia creation were going round to rally together all the old political and cultural blocs that today constitute Abia.

According to him, the charter stipulates how Abia shall be ruled in a way that every part would have a sense of belonging in distribution of political offices and development projects. To contain likely abuse of the charter in future, Ezeikpe said the Advisory Council had sent the document to the state House of Assembly for passage into law so that it would be binding on any governor that comes into office, irrespective of political platform, to implement the provisions of the charter.

The 2015 transition is however expected to provide a major test for the workability of the charter as the issue of power rotation would be hotly debated after Orji’s exit.

But as Abia celebrated her 21 years, it also celebrated its indigenes and friends of Abia who had made remarkable impact in their chosen careers thereby “keeping the dreams of Abia State alive and sharing with our ideals.” Orji believes that every indigene of the state has a role to play for the success of the journey to the Promised Land since everyone is blessed with a particular talent.

His argument is that no Abian should sit on the fence and wish that the state would be great without making any contribution. “These dreams of Abia State, which our founding fathers handed over to us can only survive and grow, not just because we think about it, dream about it, and verbalise it, but because we have come to believe in it, act it and make sacrifices to pursue it in a responsible and concerned manner,” he said.

Those honoured to mark the anniversary include the Editor of THISDAY, Ms Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, who had risen to the top in her journalism career, a male-dominated profession. Abia was proud of its daughter and she was recognised and honoured along with 20 others who have equally distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour, including politics, business, sports, medicine, academia, security, farming, civil service and law among others.

Nwogwugwu was bestowed with an award of Ada Ugo Abia (highly esteemed daughter of Abia) along with five other women, including Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Ivy Uche Okoronkwo (rtd). There were two other categories of awards namely Enyi Abia (elephants of Abia) and Oke Oji (great Iroko tree).

The ten recipients of Enyi Abia were DIG Azubuko J. Udah (rtd), Hon Justice Ikechi F. Ogbuagu, retired justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Anthony Enukeme, an Aba-based industrialist and chairman of Tonimas Nigeria Ltd while Flying Eagles Chief coach, John Obuh and Chairman/CEO of Masters energy, Mr. Uche Ogah were decorated with the award of Oke Oji along three others.

Beyond the euphoria that attended the anniversary and the general belief that things had started to work, a certain segment of the populace is still sceptical about the new face of Abia given the experience of the wasted years. But to this category of people, the governor said: “We should never yield to the lustful ambitions of those nay-sayers who seek to destroy the harmony we have built in Abia State for their selfish ends of returning Abia State to the confused and painful days of the locusts. Abians are saying, never again!”
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/rebuilding-abia-21-years-after-creation/123901/

The Abia State government has restated its commitment to curbing medical tourism of residents of the state.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Times on Tuesday, the State Commissioner for health, Dr. Okechukwu Ogah, expressed optimism that the state's partnership with private investors in running state-owned specialist centres would ease the travails of its indigenes in need of specialist care.

"The state dialysis centre is of world class and it will ease the plight of people in need of dialysis in the state," Ogah said, decrying the situation in which Abians with chronic kidney ailment had to travel at least three times a week to Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan for dialysis.

"Some people even fly to India for dialysis. Transporting patients with such condition over a long distance like that about three times in a week can lead them to early graves."

Justifying the state's partnership with the private sector, the commissioner said that "it will encourage sustainability of the facilities. It is a partnership that is working".

The state government, in partnership with an Indian company, MeCure, established two state-of-the-art diagnostic centres, one in Umuahia and another one in Aba.

Commenting on the cost of specialist treatment, Ogah noted that it may be expensive but ultimately it is "affordable and available", considering the proximity to the people.

In his evaluation of health development in the state since its creation twenty-one years ago, the commissioner acknowledged that the development has been progressive and steady.

He commended the state governor, Theodore Orji, for "monumental contribution to the development of health services" in the state.
http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/abia-government-alleviates-plight-dialysis-patients

some of the ongoing project in Abia state

some of the ongoing project

many people have said one good things and another,while some have been of the note that T.A has down-played Abia state governance ,whatsoever ,every man is entitled to their opinion based on his perception of the present administration,because we are in a democratic ruling and we all have the civil right to air our views in what way we observe things however, on a personal note,i will in-turn say that we need to put on hands on desk to help the governor ochendo in championing the affair of this great state,it is something honorary if we acknowledge the fact that Abia state belongs to us and it's our to take care of,we are the stewards of the state,and we are going to give account of the contribution we have made to project the image of Abia in the best way we should....as all these new pro
ject that the governor is putting on ground at newly existing sites and locations should be well accorded with more recognition and accolade,but on the contrary ,some people kept a blind eyes like they are not seeing it....we must carry it as an obligation to always support the good administration of T.A,orchestrate a good manner of initiative,work ethic and patriotism and move Abia forward....ABIA IS OURS,ABIA IS A GREAT STATE.....SUPPORT YOUR LEADERS,CRITICIZE RIGHTLY,DON'T ABUSE YOUR LEADERS,DON'T MALIGN THEM,DON'T DEROGATE THEM,LET TRUTH BE YOUR KEY WORD,LET UNDERSTANDING AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE REIGN AMONG US,WE ALL ARE BROTHERS AND SISTER...and the governor himself needs our own idea to excel,most times its never easy doing a huge task of that magnitude.... BUT AM NOT SAYING HE HAS FALLING SHORT OF HIS EXPECTATION,meanwhile he has been outstanding at this very second RUN,lets be honest....all we should do is give directives,give him advice,no advice has been irrelevant,but on the contrary,many have been listening to his opposition to post fake pictures of dungs,filthy images,mostly of estranged cities that never had any connection with Abia state,say snide things,as such can not bring us the desire goals we crave for.....let us be good citizens.......if the little you can do is pray,keep praying for Abia ,that is a way a patriotic man exhibits penchant for his fatherland....thank you umu abia...

some of the constructed roads in Abia state

SOME INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON-GOING IN ABIA STATE

many people have said one good things and another,while some have been of the note that T.A has down-played Abia state governance ,whatsoever ,every man is entitled to their opinion based on his perception of the present administration,because we are in a democratic ruling and we all have the civil right to air our views in what way we observe things however, on a personal note,i will in-turn say that we need to put on hands on desk to help the governor ochendo in championing the affair of this great state,it is something honorary if we acknowledge the fact that Abia state belongs to us and it's our to take care of,we are the stewards of the state,and we are going to give account of the contribution we have made to project the image of Abia in the best way we should....as all these new pro
ject that the governor is putting on ground at newly existing sites and locations should be well accorded with more recognition and accolade,but on the contrary ,some people kept a blind eyes like they are not seeing it....we must carry it as an obligation to always support the good administration of T.A,orchestrate a good manner of initiative,work ethic and patriotism and move Abia forward....ABIA IS OURS,ABIA IS A GREAT STATE.....SUPPORT YOUR LEADERS,CRITICIZE RIGHTLY,DON'T ABUSE YOUR LEADERS,DON'T MALIGN THEM,DON'T DEROGATE THEM,LET TRUTH BE YOUR KEY WORD,LET UNDERSTANDING AND PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE REIGN AMONG US,WE ALL ARE BROTHERS AND SISTER...and the governor himself needs our own idea to excel,most times its never easy doing a huge task of that magnitude.... BUT AM NOT SAYING HE HAS FALLING SHORT OF HIS EXPECTATION,meanwhile he has been outstanding at this very second RUN,lets be honest....all we should do is give directives,give him advice,no advice has been irrelevant,but on the contrary,many have been listening to his opposition to post fake pictures of dungs,filthy images,mostly of estranged cities that never had any connection with Abia state,say snide things,as such can not bring us the desire goals we crave for.....let us be good citizens.......if the little you can do is pray,keep praying for Abia ,that is a way a patriotic man exhibits penchant for his fatherland....thank you umu abia...

AS a child growing up in the commercial city of Aba, Abia state in the early eighties, I knew the city had a lot of environmental challenges that appeared insurmountable at a time, despite several efforts by successive governments in the state to tackle them.

It was obvious, however, to the residents then that governments were not committed and sincere in tackling the problems.

Top on the list of the environmental challenges in the city then were flooding and refuse disposal. Both of them posed serious threat to our health and environmental wellbeing even as we no choice but to endure the hazard. Apart from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at almost every corner, the odour oozing out from it was enough to make one sick all the time.

As more people trooped into the city for commercial activities and other means of eking out a living, the more the challenges took a dangerous dimension, as there were no places for refuse disposal.

So most times residents dump their refuse into the drainage, especially at night, believing it would be washed away by flood when it rained. Some streets and roads were taken over by heaps of refuse and people avoided using such roads and streets for fear of being infected.

It was a situation that worsened the environmental challenges in the city as most drainage channels were totally blocked, making it possible for flood to take over majority of the roads in the city whenever it rained.

I could remember how our parents would always prevent us from going out whenever it was raining to avoid being carried away by flood or being infected in the contaminated flood.

That was my experience and that of my people in the city then. By the time I finished my secondary education in the early nineties I left the city for further education in Enugu, though I visited there occasionally to buy clothes while I was in the university because of the presence of good tailors there.

With the return of democracy in 1999, I had thought that the city and state capital, Umuahia, would receive adequate attention from the state government, especially in tackling the environmental challenges.

But disappointedly I didn’t witness such intervention from the government when I visited the city again in 2005 while doing my national youth service programme in Cross River State. One of my friends there told me that the government had continued to promise the residents of plans to clear the heaps of refuse at various dump sites that had become an eye sore, but nothing was ever done.

So it was a hopeless situation in Aba and for years I didn’t go there again until recently when I was in Umuahia for some days on official duty. Every morning from my hotel room window, I saw some waste disposal trucks with the inscription of the Abia State Environment Protection Agency, ASEPA, carrying waste and some street sweepers sweeping the roads and watering the flowers planted on the dualised roads in the capital. On inquiry how such development was made possible and whether such has been extended to the commercial city of Aba, I was informed that the present government in the state made it possible with the revival of ASEPA and equipping the agency with the necessary facilities, including more than 28 waste disposal trucks, Eco poer truck, tippers, receptacles, bulldozers, graders, domestic waste bins, weight waste containers, motor vehicle waste basket, bio-degradable waste bag and others.

This was after the state government terminated the arrangement it entered into with Phoenix Environmental Service Limited for failure to live up to expectation in managing refuse in Aba. The government later entered into agreement with ANCOLD Environmental to work in partnership with ASEPA to ensure the clearing of waste disposal in Aba.

Based on the popular adage which says that “seeing is believing”, I made out time and visited Aba to see things myself and also see some of my friends after some years. On getting to the city, right from the popular and notorious Osisioma Junction, it was obvious that there was a massive improvement in the tackling of environmental challenges in the city. Flowers have been planted at junctions with a beautification design and demarcation I found very attractive. There was no traffic jams or congestion at the junction right down to the Aba/Owerri road. Most of the known refuse dump sites in the city were empty, with disposal trucks on every street packing waste. Most of the drainage channels were cleared and clean. I could not believe that it was the same filthy city I left few years ago.

I learnt also that ASEPA introduced a unique waste sorting device known as medical waste management devise, a very special environmental management approach designed for sorting out medical-related waste for effective disposal. My friends told me that residents who infringe on environmental laws are charged to mobile courts established by the state government.

This, I was told, has made the residents of the city, especially traders, to change their attitude towards managing refuse to avoid incurring the wrath of the law. So in Aba and Umuahia today, the fear of ASEPA is the beginning of wisdom for the residents, especially those who are not ready to obey the environmental laws of keeping their environments clean all the times.

The state government’s spirited effort in managing waste in the state now, especially in Aba and Umuahia, is commendable and the residents should complement them by adhering strictly to the rules of the game in disposing their refuse because it is no longer business as usual.

AS a child growing up in the commercial city of Aba, Abia state in the early eighties, I knew the city had a lot of environmental challenges that appeared insurmountable at a time, despite several efforts by successive governments in the state to tackle them.

It was obvious, however, to the residents then that governments were not committed and sincere in tackling the problems.

Top on the list of the environmental challenges in the city then were flooding and refuse disposal. Both of them posed serious threat to our health and environmental wellbeing even as we no choice but to endure the hazard. Apart from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at almost every corner, the odour oozing out from it was enough to make one sick all the time.

As more people trooped into the city for commercial activities and other means of eking out a living, the more the challenges took a dangerous dimension, as there were no places for refuse disposal.

So most times residents dump their refuse into the drainage, especially at night, believing it would be washed away by flood when it rained. Some streets and roads were taken over by heaps of refuse and people avoided using such roads and streets for fear of being infected.

It was a situation that worsened the environmental challenges in the city as most drainage channels were totally blocked, making it possible for flood to take over majority of the roads in the city whenever it rained.

I could remember how our parents would always prevent us from going out whenever it was raining to avoid being carried away by flood or being infected in the contaminated flood.

That was my experience and that of my people in the city then. By the time I finished my secondary education in the early nineties I left the city for further education in Enugu, though I visited there occasionally to buy clothes while I was in the university because of the presence of good tailors there.

With the return of democracy in 1999, I had thought that the city and state capital, Umuahia, would receive adequate attention from the state government, especially in tackling the environmental challenges.

But disappointedly I didn’t witness such intervention from the government when I visited the city again in 2005 while doing my national youth service programme in Cross River State. One of my friends there told me that the government had continued to promise the residents of plans to clear the heaps of refuse at various dump sites that had become an eye sore, but nothing was ever done.

So it was a hopeless situation in Aba and for years I didn’t go there again until recently when I was in Umuahia for some days on official duty. Every morning from my hotel room window, I saw some waste disposal trucks with the inscription of the Abia State Environment Protection Agency, ASEPA, carrying waste and some street sweepers sweeping the roads and watering the flowers planted on the dualised roads in the capital. On inquiry how such development was made possible and whether such has been extended to the commercial city of Aba, I was informed that the present government in the state made it possible with the revival of ASEPA and equipping the agency with the necessary facilities, including more than 28 waste disposal trucks, Eco poer truck, tippers, receptacles, bulldozers, graders, domestic waste bins, weight waste containers, motor vehicle waste basket, bio-degradable waste bag and others.

This was after the state government terminated the arrangement it entered into with Phoenix Environmental Service Limited for failure to live up to expectation in managing refuse in Aba. The government later entered into agreement with ANCOLD Environmental to work in partnership with ASEPA to ensure the clearing of waste disposal in Aba.

Based on the popular adage which says that “seeing is believing”, I made out time and visited Aba to see things myself and also see some of my friends after some years. On getting to the city, right from the popular and notorious Osisioma Junction, it was obvious that there was a massive improvement in the tackling of environmental challenges in the city. Flowers have been planted at junctions with a beautification design and demarcation I found very attractive. There was no traffic jams or congestion at the junction right down to the Aba/Owerri road. Most of the known refuse dump sites in the city were empty, with disposal trucks on every street packing waste. Most of the drainage channels were cleared and clean. I could not believe that it was the same filthy city I left few years ago.

I learnt also that ASEPA introduced a unique waste sorting device known as medical waste management devise, a very special environmental management approach designed for sorting out medical-related waste for effective disposal. My friends told me that residents who infringe on environmental laws are charged to mobile courts established by the state government.

This, I was told, has made the residents of the city, especially traders, to change their attitude towards managing refuse to avoid incurring the wrath of the law. So in Aba and Umuahia today, the fear of ASEPA is the beginning of wisdom for the residents, especially those who are not ready to obey the environmental laws of keeping their environments clean all the times.

The state government’s spirited effort in managing waste in the state now, especially in Aba and Umuahia, is commendable and the residents should complement them by adhering strictly to the rules of the game in disposing their refuse because it is no longer business as usual.

AS a child growing up in the commercial city of Aba, Abia state in the early eighties, I knew the city had a lot of environmental challenges that appeared insurmountable at a time, despite several efforts by successive governments in the state to tackle them.

It was obvious, however, to the residents then that governments were not committed and sincere in tackling the problems.

Top on the list of the environmental challenges in the city then were flooding and refuse disposal. Both of them posed serious threat to our health and environmental wellbeing even as we no choice but to endure the hazard. Apart from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at almost every corner, the odour oozing out from it was enough to make one sick all the time.

As more people trooped into the city for commercial activities and other means of eking out a living, the more the challenges took a dangerous dimension, as there were no places for refuse disposal.

So most times residents dump their refuse into the drainage, especially at night, believing it would be washed away by flood when it rained. Some streets and roads were taken over by heaps of refuse and people avoided using such roads and streets for fear of being infected.

It was a situation that worsened the environmental challenges in the city as most drainage channels were totally blocked, making it possible for flood to take over majority of the roads in the city whenever it rained.

I could remember how our parents would always prevent us from going out whenever it was raining to avoid being carried away by flood or being infected in the contaminated flood.

That was my experience and that of my people in the city then. By the time I finished my secondary education in the early nineties I left the city for further education in Enugu, though I visited there occasionally to buy clothes while I was in the university because of the presence of good tailors there.

With the return of democracy in 1999, I had thought that the city and state capital, Umuahia, would receive adequate attention from the state government, especially in tackling the environmental challenges.

But disappointedly I didn’t witness such intervention from the government when I visited the city again in 2005 while doing my national youth service programme in Cross River State. One of my friends there told me that the government had continued to promise the residents of plans to clear the heaps of refuse at various dump sites that had become an eye sore, but nothing was ever done.

So it was a hopeless situation in Aba and for years I didn’t go there again until recently when I was in Umuahia for some days on official duty. Every morning from my hotel room window, I saw some waste disposal trucks with the inscription of the Abia State Environment Protection Agency, ASEPA, carrying waste and some street sweepers sweeping the roads and watering the flowers planted on the dualised roads in the capital. On inquiry how such development was made possible and whether such has been extended to the commercial city of Aba, I was informed that the present government in the state made it possible with the revival of ASEPA and equipping the agency with the necessary facilities, including more than 28 waste disposal trucks, Eco poer truck, tippers, receptacles, bulldozers, graders, domestic waste bins, weight waste containers, motor vehicle waste basket, bio-degradable waste bag and others.

This was after the state government terminated the arrangement it entered into with Phoenix Environmental Service Limited for failure to live up to expectation in managing refuse in Aba. The government later entered into agreement with ANCOLD Environmental to work in partnership with ASEPA to ensure the clearing of waste disposal in Aba.

Based on the popular adage which says that “seeing is believing”, I made out time and visited Aba to see things myself and also see some of my friends after some years. On getting to the city, right from the popular and notorious Osisioma Junction, it was obvious that there was a massive improvement in the tackling of environmental challenges in the city. Flowers have been planted at junctions with a beautification design and demarcation I found very attractive. There was no traffic jams or congestion at the junction right down to the Aba/Owerri road. Most of the known refuse dump sites in the city were empty, with disposal trucks on every street packing waste. Most of the drainage channels were cleared and clean. I could not believe that it was the same filthy city I left few years ago.

I learnt also that ASEPA introduced a unique waste sorting device known as medical waste management devise, a very special environmental management approach designed for sorting out medical-related waste for effective disposal. My friends told me that residents who infringe on environmental laws are charged to mobile courts established by the state government.

This, I was told, has made the residents of the city, especially traders, to change their attitude towards managing refuse to avoid incurring the wrath of the law. So in Aba and Umuahia today, the fear of ASEPA is the beginning of wisdom for the residents, especially those who are not ready to obey the environmental laws of keeping their environments clean all the times.

The state government’s spirited effort in managing waste in the state now, especially in Aba and Umuahia, is commendable and the residents should complement them by adhering strictly to the rules of the game in disposing their refuse because it is no longer business as usual.

IN its bid to eradicate malaria and control mosquitoes which are the carriers of the disease, the Abia State government has set aside N39 million as its own counterpart fund to those of the other partners, Carter Centre, UNICEF, Yakubu Gowon Foundation and WHO.
This was disclosed by Governor Theodore Orji represented by his deputy, Chief Emeka Ananaba, on Wednesday at the flagging-off of the state distribution of 1.2 million Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets in Umuahia.
He said that in addition to the fund release, the state had stepped up its environmental sanitation to clear mosquitoes breeding spots.
Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who was the guest of honour, said that the Federal Government was not only determined to eradicate malaria and fight mosquitoes but embark on attacking the den of mosquitoes to destroy their larvaecides and urged the public to check stagnant waters around them.
According to the minister, the nets would if applied accordingly, help prevent mosquitoes, adding that 50 million nets have been distributed in 31 states while by the end of the exercise, 63 million will be so done, stressing that “this has never happened anywhere in the world as it is top priority of government to eradicate malaria.”
Speaking on behalf of the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Odochi Orji, after her investiture as ‘The Net Ambassador for the distribution in Abia State, the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Nene Ananaba, described malaria as the most serious ailment threatening Africans hence the malaria control programme was set up.
The net, she said, remained the cheapest and best way of protection against malaria, adding that since the programme was instituted, N132 billion has been spent in S Nigeria to check malaria spread.
Describing malaria as preventable and treatable disease, the National Coordinator of the malaria control programme, Mrs. Chioma Amajor, said that so far 45 per cent of Nigeria’s household already had nets by 2010, adding that so far, 31 states had been distributed 47.9 nets.
She commended Abia State for showing the political will to boost the health of her citizenry, recalling that 5,000 people had been trained in the state on the net distribution.
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95094:abia-partners-who-unicef-others-in-anti-malaria-war&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

developing economy as typified by that of Nigeria, agriculture is a fundamental sector. It lies at the heart of food security, grapples extreme hunger and poverty and constituting the engine for employment opportunities and economic growth. It also serves as a constant barometer to measure the success level of any government and to attain democratic sustainability.

In Nigeria, agriculture occupies an exceedingly crucial place. The high population rate of Nigeria has a linear relationship with rate of food consumption in the country. This essentially unleashes correspondingly intricate pressure on agriculture and agro-allied activities, far more than it is evident in other sectors.

This implies that if Nigeria must feed its over 150 million population, it has to embark on a strategic shift, taking up agriculture as a national emergency that requires priority and strategic attention.

However, apart from population explosion, several other reasons favour large-scale, mechanised agriculture in the country. First, Nigeria is an agrarian society with over 70 percent of the population involved in subsistence farming. Besides, Nigeria boosts of availability of huge land mass, fertile soil, favourable climate, skilled farmers to put the nation on the global chart of top agricultural nations.

What appears to be missing include; political will, lack of effective co-ordination and desirable credit facility. The urgent need for the nation to diversify from the current monolithic economy that is largely dependent on oil underpins the economic imperative of revitalising the agricultural sector.

These compelling observations underline the imperative nature of the decision and recent actions of the Abia State Governor, Chief T.A Orji towards making agriculture a state priority programme. Only a couple of weeks ago, Governor Orji launched the disbursement of the one billion naira agricultural loan and Roll-Out of Growth Enhancement Support Scheme held at the Aguiyi Ironsi Cenotaph, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

He has also established 17 Liberation Farms in each of the 23 local councils in the state while providing tractors to farmers to enhance agricultural development. On yearly basis, the state government has been procuring large quantities of fertilizers which it distributes at higly subsidised rate to farmers. More so, it provided to farmers large quantities of Amazon F3 and CRIN CTI improved cocoa seedlings, in addition to other farm inputs to significantly boost the sector in the state.

To consolidate on the agriculture scheme, the state government has taken a number of steps. It has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to guarantee the federal government’s collaboration on cassava value chain development and transformation programme. It has also set up the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Committee to monitor, pursue and accomplish government’s broad goals on agriculture.

Governor Orji’s tenacity towards achieving the agriculture project, according to him, is hinged on his policy of food sufficiency in Abia State ahead of 2015; increasing of export crops production and provision of jobs to the army of employable youths in the state.

He believes that the initiative is part of the determination of his administration to build an economically viable state, through a sustainable agricultural development. “Our programmes and policy thrust are aimed at boosting food production because of the belief that self-sufficiency in food production is panacea for sustainable democracy and economic growth”, he once noted.

Orji may well be right. Democracy makes little or no sense when the masses who are meant to benefit from it are walloping in hunger and abject poverty. Democracy without food on the table and provision of other social amenities is vagabond democracy and should be discouraged.

When a government is elected and inaugurated as it was the case of the federal and the 36 states of the federation on May 29, 2011; a responsible government gets down to business to ensuring that democratic dividends trickle down the masses that voted it into power. It is wrong-headed, perfidious to do otherwise.

It is in this context that the efforts of the Abia State government towards making food available to the citizens of Abia State, is considered noteworthy. It is important for other states to genuinely borrow a leaf from Abia State and deepen their efforts in this regard. The ultimate goal should be geared towards making the state food sufficient for the sustenance of democracy.
http://leadership.ng/nga/columns/31579/2012/08/03/tackling_food_insufficiency_abia_example.html

The Abia state government has ordered the immediate closure of all revenue accounts in ministries in the state and directed that henceforth all revenue due to the government should go into the consolidated account of government.
The governor handed down the order in a meeting he held with commissioners, permanent secretaries and heads of non ministerial Departments of revenue generating ministries of the government at the government house, Umuahia.
He observed with dismay that some ministries were still using revenue agents other than the only revenue consultant approved by the government and warned that any commissioner or head of non ministerial department found to be engaged in the act will be arrested and sacked.
Chief Orji further warned that any person who parades himself as revenue consultant or collector will be dealt with by the government adding that any other revenue consultant outside that approved by the government is illegal.
He regretted that money meant for the government goes into private pockets while the government labours to meet its financial obligations to the people and vows that the trend will no longer be condoned.
The governor also directed that the Abia state Environmental protection Agency
(ASEPA) to immediately cancel all contracts it has with revenue agents while directing the Board of Internal Revenue to henceforth desist from taking revenue of the board upfront.
He told the commissioners and heads of non ministerial departments to explore ways of making money for government other than going to the Ariara and other markets in Aba.
http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/abia-order-closure-of-revenue-accounts/

Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji says he has no regrets over the huge funds he is investing in maintaining security in the state.

In a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, the governor maintained that no price paid in ensuring that peace reigns in the state could be too much.

According to him, without security, development cannot take place. This is why it tops the agenda of the state government.

Orji recalled that during the kidnapping problem in the state, local and foreign contractors handing various projects in the state abandoned their sites as kidnappers took them hostage.

The governor added that the prevailing peace in the state would be sustained at all cost.

A cross section of eminent personalities has commended the governor for his investments in the security and peace of the state.

It would be recalled that the governor has donated more than 60 Hilux patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state.
http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/no-regrets-over-huge-security-funding-says-orji/

Abia governor chief Theodore Orji has stressed the need for journalists in the country to report events objectively and in a balanced manner so as not to create doubts in the minds of people.Governor TA Orji made the plea while speaking at the south East media summit organized by the Nigerian union of journalists south East zone in conjunction with the Gregory university , Uturu , Abia state.
He also decried the idea of media owners using their medium to attack perceived enemies.
The governor stressed the need for peace and security in the country, pointing out that it was only in an atmosphere of peace that development can take place.
He used the forum to commend Greg Ibe, in establishing the Gregory SUniversity noting that he is the first Abia son to successfully establish a private university in the state and promised to assist him make the university stand.
The chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe said the theme of the media summit “challenges of media ownership, development and good governance: South East Experience is apt as Igbos have benefitted most in a more enduring manner with Zik,s philosophy of a united Nigeria, noting that no amount of distraction can destroy the Nigerian spirit or the doggedness of the Igbos.He appealed to Nigerians tp rally round PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan to put an end to what he termed the era of terror in the country ,adding that any attack on the media is an attack on the people.
In his speech, the National vice president of the NUJ, zone C sir Ambrose Nwachukwu recalled that many media outfits especially newspapers were established in the south East including the government owned ones but could not survive.
On his own, the state chairman of the NUJ , comrade Hyacinth Okoli called on governors and prominent Igbo sons and daughters to establish media houses that will stand in the zone including private newspapers as is the case in other zones of the country.
http://www.abiastate.gov.ng/2012/05/gov-ta-orji-urges-journalists-to-report-events-objectively/

Investigation has revealed that Obi Nwakanma a columnist with the Vanguard is one of the people the former governor of Abia state Orji Uzor Kalu used to launder money through out his 8 years in office. According to an impeccable source within Kalu’s house, Nwakanma a man who just found his way into writing use to be a street trader in aba before Kalu picked him up.


Having been brushed up, Kalu used him to siphon Abia money. EFCC we learnt stumbled on his name as Kalu’s trial re-opened recently. Meanwhile, the same Nwakanma it was learnt is now doing the same job for Imo speaker Ben Uwajimogu. He is the one being used to fleece Imo through phoney contracts being awarded to himself as Imo speaker. It’s Kalu that also connected the speaker to Nwakanma. Consequently, the NUJ says he is not their member, even though he is a columnist with Vanguard.

http://thejuristlaws..com/2012/07/obi-nwakanma-of-vanguard-is-orji-uzor.html

AS a child growing up in the commercial city of Aba, Abia state in the early eighties, I knew the city had a lot of environmental challenges that appeared insurmountable at a time, despite several efforts by successive governments in the state to tackle them.

It was obvious, however, to the residents then that governments were not committed and sincere in tackling the problems.

Top on the list of the environmental challenges in the city then were flooding and refuse disposal. Both of them posed serious threat to our health and environmental wellbeing even as we no choice but to endure the hazard. Apart from the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at almost every corner, the odour oozing out from it was enough to make one sick all the time.

As more people trooped into the city for commercial activities and other means of eking out a living, the more the challenges took a dangerous dimension, as there were no places for refuse disposal.

So most times residents dump their refuse into the drainage, especially at night, believing it would be washed away by flood when it rained. Some streets and roads were taken over by heaps of refuse and people avoided using such roads and streets for fear of being infected.

It was a situation that worsened the environmental challenges in the city as most drainage channels were totally blocked, making it possible for flood to take over majority of the roads in the city whenever it rained.

I could remember how our parents would always prevent us from going out whenever it was raining to avoid being carried away by flood or being infected in the contaminated flood.

That was my experience and that of my people in the city then. By the time I finished my secondary education in the early nineties I left the city for further education in Enugu, though I visited there occasionally to buy clothes while I was in the university because of the presence of good tailors there.

With the return of democracy in 1999, I had thought that the city and state capital, Umuahia, would receive adequate attention from the state government, especially in tackling the environmental challenges.

But disappointedly I didn’t witness such intervention from the government when I visited the city again in 2005 while doing my national youth service programme in Cross River State. One of my friends there told me that the government had continued to promise the residents of plans to clear the heaps of refuse at various dump sites that had become an eye sore, but nothing was ever done.

So it was a hopeless situation in Aba and for years I didn’t go there again until recently when I was in Umuahia for some days on official duty. Every morning from my hotel room window, I saw some waste disposal trucks with the inscription of the Abia State Environment Protection Agency, ASEPA, carrying waste and some street sweepers sweeping the roads and watering the flowers planted on the dualised roads in the capital. On inquiry how such development was made possible and whether such has been extended to the commercial city of Aba, I was informed that the present government in the state made it possible with the revival of ASEPA and equipping the agency with the necessary facilities, including more than 28 waste disposal trucks, Eco poer truck, tippers, receptacles, bulldozers, graders, domestic waste bins, weight waste containers, motor vehicle waste basket, bio-degradable waste bag and others.

This was after the state government terminated the arrangement it entered into with Phoenix Environmental Service Limited for failure to live up to expectation in managing refuse in Aba. The government later entered into agreement with ANCOLD Environmental to work in partnership with ASEPA to ensure the clearing of waste disposal in Aba.

Based on the popular adage which says that “seeing is believing”, I made out time and visited Aba to see things myself and also see some of my friends after some years. On getting to the city, right from the popular and notorious Osisioma Junction, it was obvious that there was a massive improvement in the tackling of environmental challenges in the city. Flowers have been planted at junctions with a beautification design and demarcation I found very attractive. There was no traffic jams or congestion at the junction right down to the Aba/Owerri road. Most of the known refuse dump sites in the city were empty, with disposal trucks on every street packing waste. Most of the drainage channels were cleared and clean. I could not believe that it was the same filthy city I left few years ago.

I learnt also that ASEPA introduced a unique waste sorting device known as medical waste management devise, a very special environmental management approach designed for sorting out medical-related waste for effective disposal. My friends told me that residents who infringe on environmental laws are charged to mobile courts established by the state government.

This, I was told, has made the residents of the city, especially traders, to change their attitude towards managing refuse to avoid incurring the wrath of the law. So in Aba and Umuahia today, the fear of ASEPA is the beginning of wisdom for the residents, especially those who are not ready to obey the environmental laws of keeping their environments clean all the times.

The state government’s spirited effort in managing waste in the state now, especially in Aba and Umuahia, is commendable and the residents should complement them by adhering strictly to the rules of the game in disposing their refuse because it is no longer business as usual.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/abias-environmental-challenges/

Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji has promised to sustain efforts towards providing enabling environment for business to thrive in the state.

Orji stated that this while receiving the management of Nigerian Breweries, Aba at Government House, Umuahia.

He expressed happiness that the company was operating in Aba and thanked the company for the interventions it was doing in the various sectors of the nation’s economy.

The governor noted that the company has been providing employment opportunities for the residents of the state and charged them to ensure the brewery becomes the best in the country.

Earlier in his address, the Brewery Manager, Mr. Ukaeje Uda said they came to associate with the governor, and congratulate him for the development strides recorded in the state, particularly restoring security in Aba.

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/news/orji-promises-enabling-environment-for-business/
Uda said the Aba Brewery was undergoing restructuring and stated that Heineken has approved 78Million Euro for the project. He added that the installation of a new bottling company is ongoing while the company is set to establish a canning line.

A subsidiary of ASO Savings and Loans Plc, ASO Investment & Development Company (AIDC) on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Abia state for mass housing development.

This new agreement will see AIDC build 400 units of two and three bedroom detached bungalows in the proposed Ochendo Liberation Housing Scheme, and it is in line with the state government's objective of providing affordable housing to its citizens all around the state through Public Private Partnership arrangement.

At the MOU signing ceremony in the Executive Chambers of the State House, Umuahia, the Executive Governor of the state, Chief Theodore Orji welcomed the management team of AIDC led by Mr. Collins Chikeluba, Chairman of AIDC and Vice Chairman of ASO Savings & Loans Plc, Isoken Omo, Managing Director AIDC, Kojo Sagoe and Rachel Dwyer both of the Public Sector Unit, ASO Savings & Loans Plc, Fatima Muhammed, Legal Officer, AIDC and Jane Odonwodo of the Corporate Communications department at ASO Savings & Loans Plc.

The Governor, who expressed his delight at partnering with the two organisations, was joined by some of his top cabinet members to sign the MOU. He afterwards, led his cabinet members and the AIDC team to the construction site at Amaobi Community, few minutes drives away from the capital city, Umuahia for the official Ground Breaking ceremony of the housing estate.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of AIDC who also doubles as Vice Chairman of ASO Savings Plc, Mr. Collins Chikeluba, stated that his organisations is doing a lot in providing affordable housing schemes and viable mortgage options for the Nigerian populace.

'We are partnering with the federal and various state governments across the country through the public private partnership scheme to key into the vision of the present leadership in Nigeria to provide housing for all Nigerians by the year 2020. It is for this reason that our organisations are collaborating with the Abia state government to launch the state housing scheme. This is part of his Excellency, Governor Orji's bold and ambitious housing programme to build the new Abia for Abians', Chikeluba explained.

Governor Orji, speaking to a large numbers of guests at the ceremony, promised that the Ochendo liberation Housing scheme will be delivered in phases, with the first phase of 50 units of 2 and 3 bedrooms of exquisite urban architecture bungalow. It will be built on 38 acres of land, with modern infrastructures; and it is expected to be completed within 12 months.

Chief Orji, who was being hailed 'Ochendo' by the large numbers of his supporters at the occasion, emphasized that the project is targeted at the civil servants in the state. 'Housing is essential, and we Abians valued roof over our heads. The Ochendo Liberation Housing Project is targeted at the civil and public servants here in Abia so that when they retired, they can have roofs over their heads'.

Furthermore, Chief Orji disclosed that the beneficiaries 'will take mortgages from ASO to buy the houses without any collateral. We are to provide the lands while they take it up from there. All these have been stated in the MOU and we will follow the agreement to the letter'.

Earlier at the MOU signing ceremony, The Managing Director of AIDC Mrs. Isoken Omo, had confirmed that AIDC will be financing the project while the sister company ASO Savings & Loans Plc will be providing mortgage options to all the intending beneficiaries in the scheme. 'The mortgages will be secured from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) at 6% interest rate for those that have been contributing to the National Housing Scheme and the Cooperative Housing Scheme of the FMBN.

http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/95295/1/aidc-aso-savings-partner-abia-government-for-hous.html

what is wrong with the governor of Abia state Plan to Recycle Abia'S Waste Underway in the state and for the people of Abia to enjoy sanity and cleanliness in every environment of Abia state.in other words creating Job opportunities for the interested citizens. there is a say "cleanliness is next to godliness" And "A clean Environment Attract investors to the state". is a welcome development by the governor which every one of us as abians need to support .most of u are just interested in either picking holes in government programs and policies on critics, not to talk about the insulence that comes with it, which u wont be brave enough in real life. how come none and i mean none of u av ever made an imput or comment on abia state, the way forward or programmes, govt should implement to better the lot of all of us? why are u all fixiated on trying to run down people, u cant and will never match in all ramfications? why? why are u all so into phd...pull him down syndrome. u all should look inwards, it could be u tommorrow.

THE recent re-opening of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, depot atAba,AbiaState is a landmark achievement and welcome development, especially for the residents of the commercial city ofAba and its environs who have suffered for long due to its closure some years ago as result of insecurity, bunkering and pipeline vandalism.

For those that made the re-opening possible, especially theAbiaState government which partnered with the Federal Government and the NNPC management to achieve this, it is a big plus because the development will increase commercial activities inAba and other nearby states and towns.

There is no doubt that the re-opening was possible because of the level of security that has been achieved and maintained in the state in recent time following the commitment and efforts of the present government in the state. When the depot was closed some years ago due to insecurity that brought about pipeline vandalism and bunkering, the development inflicted untold hardship on the people in many ways. Apart from some people, especially the petty traders and artisans, losing their means of livelihood, many people were made to pay more for petroleum products, unlike when the depot was functional.

While the official price of fuel is N97 per litre, most filling station were not ready to sell at such price inAbaand its environs, unless one goes to NNPC mega filling station in the state and queue for a long time without being sure of when to get the product. Sometimes one might spend hours on the queue without getting the product at the end of the day. Those who could not afford to queue at the NNPC mega filling station for long had no option but to buy the product at N120 in other filling stations.

Worst hit by the disparity in products price before now was the state capital Umuahia where dealers of the petroleum products had always justified hike in price to poor electricity supply and other logistics like transportation of the products fromRiversState.

But presently, there is no justification for any filling station in the state to sell petroleum products above the official prices because apart from the products being at their doorstep with the re-opening of NNPC depot inAba, there is steady power supply in the state capital now. This development no matter what anybody would say was made possible by the synergy between the Federal Government and the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji. Before now, power supply in Umuahia and its environs was nothing to write home about as it was quite epileptic.

But the problem has been solved now with the partnership between the state government and Federal Government that brought about the successful evacuation of power at 2x 40 MVA, 132/33 transmission substation in Ohiya, Umuahia.

The project which was recently commissioned by Governor Orji has succeeded in stabilizing power supply in Umuahia and its environs. Power outage in the state capital is a thing of the past presently, though it sometimes goes off, but returns without much delay. A development which has boosted commercial activities in the state and stabilized price of petroleum products, as dealers do not have to depend on the use of generators to run their businesses. Same for the business men and women in the state who need power to run their businesses. The noise and other health hazards associated with the use of generators appeared to have been reduced drastically as most homes in the capital and its environs now enjoy steady power supply.

In a bid to reduce or tackle the ugly incidence of bunkering and pipeline vandalism that led to the closure of the depot in the past, Governor Orji has made it clear that he will present a bill to the state House of Assembly seeking to make bunkering and pipeline vandalism a capital offence in the state. Such a move is the much-needed tonic or recipe to guarantee security, ensure effective and smooth operations and assure the management of the depot of their safety and that of their equipment. The move will also discourage or deter vandals and bunkerers who had thrived in the illegal business in the past.

Also to benefit from the re-opening of the depot are the neighbouring towns, villages and states who had before now had to go toPort Harcourtto get petroleum products following the closure of theAbadepot. To ensure that the re-opening of the depot will not bring about congestion on the Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway following the influx of heavy tankers and lorries, theAbiaStategovernment has built an ultra-modern park before Osisioma junction to accommodate the tankers and other commercial vehicles in the city.

One remarkable thing about the possible re-opening of the depot is that it goes a long way to show that the restoration of peace and order inAbiaState, especially the commercial city ofAbaby the present administration in the state is a reality and not a lip service.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/07/abia-and-re-opening-of-aba-nnpc-depot/