bettercreature:
Lazy Op,just because aregbe is unable to pay salaries doesn't mean osun is backward or poor,get your facts right osun is not poor,pdp destroyed osun or how can osun with 34 local government be getting second to the lowest allocation in Nigeria ? Even ekiti with half local government are gettin more allocation,someone need to tell us why Jonathan destroyed osun state,

SUBWAY101:
So Osun is backward cos of Salary? Even akwa ibom is owing workers, same with rivers. All states in the SE are owing except Anambra. Where is Ebonyi, Kogi, Benue, Yobe e.t.c Trash.

Anaskie:
I have no pity for the people of Abia.

After crying for years about how the Ochendo led PDP government ruined the state, the silly people still went ahead to vote an even more clueless person from the same PDP.

It only takes the grace of God to deliver the state. I think the state is seriously cursed.

Eugenedimgba:
Joke is still on you.

OREMUSSANCTUS:
Osun state

Omotayor123:
chai!!!


There ris God oooooooooooooo


See as Aregbe fall hand for my state. ( Ipinle Omoluabi)



.

I keep calm#

Ihedioha2015:
Abia State: This is a South-Eastern state and believed to be the worst state in Nigeria and its history. The state is also owing the civil servants over 6months salaries. It is even painful that this is an oil producing state that has been benefitting for the past 16yrs. And since this report till now nothing has changed in terms of its status as the worst Nigerian state.



Inside Abia: Nigeria’s dirtiest state


■ Epidemic looms, residents lament

On Wednesday penultimate week, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, witnessed its first rain in 2015. Although the rain was not heavy, it left a heavy burden on the residents, as the en­tire city was flooded.

The situation was such that moving from one part of the city to another was a diffi­cult task. People were compelled to remove their shoes and fold their trousers to wade through the flood even as vehicles were trapped in the craters dotting the roads. Many of the residential buildings and busi­ness premises were not spared as the flood ravaged personal effects and commercial goods. In some cases, people fell into gut­ters and sustained injuries. Those who were coming into the town that day had a hectic time as Osisioma area and parts of Aba – Owerri road were flooded, particularly the Abia Poly gate and St Paul’s junction. This resulted in a traffic snarl that forced people to trek long distances. In fact, Aba was liter­ally floating that day.

A resident, Mrs Agnes Ajumbe, told our correspondent that her daughter broke her leg when she fell into a submerged gully on Jubilee road while returning from her business place that day. Her words: “When my daughter was returning after the rain on Wednesday (last week), she removed her shoes as everywhere was flooded. Unfor­tunately, she fell into a big hole on Jubilee road because it was covered with flood wa­ter and she didn’t know that the hole was there. As she fell, her handbag containing recharge cards and a sack containing bot­tles of groundnuts that we sell fell into the flood. Everything was damaged. The bottles of groundnuts broke and she broke her left leg. I am a widow and our source of liveli­hood is gone. I don’t even have money to give her proper treatment, so I took her to a native bonesetter. The affected leg is swol­len and the pain is unbearable for her. She is always crying, particularly in the night. I am confused.”

Another resident, Mr Simeon Ofoma told our correspondent that his Carmry car broke down inside a gully on Eziukwu road. “I didn’t know that the hole on the road was so big because the entire place was flood­ed. The bottom plate and exhaust pipe were affected. I bought the car in November last year and I spent a huge amount to fix it. We are really suffering in this state. When I was travelling to my home town, Arochuk­wu, last year for the Christmas festivities, the car also broke down because of the bad roads. Living in Abia is like living in hell,” he lamented.

Investigations revealed that in the last couple of years, Aba, the economic livewire of Abia State has deteriorated in every ma­terial particular. If nothing is done and fast too, Aba residents will experience more hardship this rainy season.

Most of the roads are in a deplorable state and impassable when it rains even slightly. If you go to a place like Obohia, for in­stance, your heart will melt at the level of decay and suffering residents of the area are going through. Ama Mmong, a densely populated suburb, is a patch of hell. Going there could be likened to a journey to Gol­gotha. It is a difficult task accessing there from any point. To go there, you must arm yourself with sachets of water with which to wash your legs because you will get to por­tions where vehicles cannot navigate and you will be compelled to wade through dirty smelly water. Residents disclosed that the ugly state of the road had made commercial bus drivers to increase the fare. Milverton Avenue, which is the loading bay of luxury bus operators, has broken into two. Driving through that axis is a risk many motorists are not willing to take because any vehicle that goes through it will hardly be the same again. Umu Ule road, Port Harcourt road, MCC roads, Port Harcourt road, Hospital road and Umuocham road are some of the major arteries where commuters gnash their teeth in agony.

Interestingly, you can hardly find the cam­paign posters of the ruling party in Obohia. This is because residents of the area do not want to hear anything about the ruling par­ty there. “We don’t want to see any of their nonsense posters here. In fact, they cannot come to campaign here because we are not happy with them and the youths of the area may give more than they bargained for,” Innocent, a tricycle rider, told the reporter.

Apart from the broken roads, the gut­ters are filled with dirt. It is the same sto­ry in virtually every part of the town. Also, mountains of refuse dot the town. One of the new ‘mountains’ is on Ochefu Street by Market road. Getting there, you are left wondering how human beings live in such environment right in the city centre. And the garbage bins, where they exist, spill on the road before being evacuated. The result is a stinking city.

Dirt is not peculiar to Aba. Going to Umuahia, the state capital, you easily notice why Abia could be regarded as the dirtiest state in the country. At Umuikaa junction, along the Aba – Enugu expressway, dirt is strewn all over the place. A massive refuse dump site emitting acrid odour and billow­ing smoke welcome you to the capital city. The ‘perfume’ stings in the nose. And in the middle of the expressway, shortly after Abia Tower in Umuahia, are unsightly heaps of garbage. And if you are going to Akwa Ibom from Abia, nobody will tell you the boundary of the two states because immedi­ately you cross into Akwa Ibom everything changes for the better. And if you are go­ing to Imo State, the environment becomes cleaner when you cross the border town of Owerrinta.

Indeed, epidemic looms in Abia because the residents have been exposed to dirt and offensive odour for years. The gutters have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents. Interestingly, the residents and business owners are compelled to pay sanitation levies yet dirt and rotten wastes litter everywhere. Worse still, the people have been conquered. Hence, many see no evil and speak no evil. It was learnt that fol­lowing a report on the decrepit state of Aba markets not long ago, some of their leaders were arrested and detained on the suspicion that they gave information to the reporter.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=108027



A former minister of finance and economic planning, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, has said that the state of infrastructure in Abia fell short of the aspirations of its founding fathers.

Kalu told the News Agency of Nigeria in his country home, Ohafia, that the euphoria that greeted the creation of the state 22 years ago seemed to have waned due to under-development.

The former minister also decried the lack of manpower development in the state.

He said the ingenious artisans in the state, particularly in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, were the worst hit.

“When Abia was created, I felt so proud not because I thought we should be split into so many states, but because I thought we had the potential to place Abia as one of the top states in the nation.

“As a commissioner then in the old Imo State, I remembered coming into Aba when they were opening the NTA office in the town and we had lots of designers there.

“Take for an example people in the textile and garments industry, these are people that need just a little support to get to the global stage of designing,” he said.

He alleged that “22 years down the lane, no meaningful development has taken place in the state”.

Kalu added that a situation where critical infrastructures were in deplorable condition and in most cases non-existent was regrettable.

“We have not lived up to expectations and we still have a long way to go to create viable agriculture, industries and proper infrastructure.

“There is no question that we need to do a lot more and part of the problem is that we have not really had time to amplify our resources beyond the ones we know.

“Abia State had oil and gas territories which were ceded to other states.

“We still have a golden opportunity to look at these things radically and isolate ourselves whether as governors, senators or members of the house,” he said.

Kalu said what the people needed was a system that would bring about growth, development, stability and progress.

He added that such proper steps would reduce the poverty level among the people to the barest minimum.


http://www.punchng.com/news/kalu-decries-poor-state-of-infrastructure-in-abia/



■ Residents commend The Sun for shining on the city

Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State, was agog on Sat­urday. That day, The Sun shone brightly on the dilapidated city. The residents, who over the years, had been united in grief over the total collapse of infrastructure in the city, had something to cheer. They were elated that their predicament had been exposed to the whole world to see.

They were happy that Saturday Sun pre­sented a dispassionate report on the deplor­able condition of critical infrastructure in the city. As soon as the newspaper hit town, it started selling like hot cake. The newspa­per was a souvenir of sorts. For them, now that their story had been told in words and pictures, there could be a ray of hope that in­tervention may come from the Federal Gov­ernment since the state government had aban­doned them. Indeed, some of them suggested that the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency in Aba to address the situ­ation.

Justus, a resident, said: “Beloved, I com­mend your write-up about Aba. Every as­pect of the city is in utter ruins. Nigerians need to be aware of this. We can’t keep quiet anymore. It’s time for coordinated action for change. Some of us aren’t partisan or have any affiliation with any political party what­soever but we just demand good governance. Abia and, particularly Aba, is in total ruins.”

Chief Okey Nwagbara, All Progressive Congress (APC) vice chairman, Abia Central, described the state of affairs in Aba as awful while commending Saturday Sun for the re­port. Hear him: “First of all, I would like to commend your newspaper for the report that was published on Saturday, although you did not capture half of the situation on ground about Aba. Notwithstanding, that was a very wonderful story. You were only able to give us the pictures of the areas you had access to and nobody will blame you for those areas you did not have access to. It is good that you have shown to the world that the town you know as made in Aba, because it was making people and things, is now waiting to be made. So, I thank you people so much for that report and I’m appealing to other media houses to come to us at this hour of need as The Sun has done because it is those who give us that we will give back when the time comes.”

Nwagbara, who regretted that Abia which used to be God’s own state had become God’s cursed state, said that the city has the worst road network in Africa. He stressed that the way things are going, in the next few weeks, Aba will be closed down as nobody will be able to come in or go out. He further said that the situation of Aba was worse than Ebola be­cause while the virus can be treated, nothing is being done about Aba. According to him, the environmental pollution in Aba calls for concern.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance Party (APGA), Abia State Chairman, Prince Ukae­gbu, remarked: “At times, one wonders how the citizenry manage to survive under such bad conditions. In the past, we’ve had cause to call on the governor to either perform or re­sign because for the past seven and half years, Abia State can literally be called a state with­out a governor and without government. The only aspect of government that we witness borders on reparation, taxation and all forms of unlawful brigandage by government’s tax collectors; that has been our general experi­ence in Aba.”

He went on: “In Abia State, infrastructure has a different meaning and connotation. Here, infrastructure means impassable roads, it means dirt and rubbish along the streets, that’s the meaning of infrastructure in Aba and Abia State because they are non-existent. I have challenged the governor on countless number of occasions and offered to sponsor and arrange a media tour so that the gentle­men of the press can come around and let the governor point out those achievements which he claims on the pages of newspapers, televi­sion and internet. Sometime ago, the gover­nor rather hastily organised his boys in the media who came and gave him kudos, noth­ing is happening in Abia State. I have said these things repeatedly. We are a state without a government.

“I have said this several times, Aba is not in Russia, neither is it in San Francisco. Aba is right here. You came from Lagos, go round Aba and find out if you can see those things the governor and his aides kept posting on the internet, those beautiful buildings and roads you see on the internet and in magazines. I have challenged him and will be happy if the governor will take up my challenge, let me sponsor a media tour of Abia State and afford the governor the opportunity to highlight all his achievements. Nothing is going on in Abia State. The other time, we were hoodwinked into believing that an airport and seaport were being constructed in Abia State. I had cause to challenge the governor to reproduce the budget estimate and there were no provisions for building an airport or seaport. Few months to the expiration of the tenure of this admin­istration, no work has started anywhere, this is a wuruwuru government. This is a govern­ment steeped in propaganda, spending bil­lions of state resources in laundering its bat­tered image. This is the true state of affairs in Abia State.

Indeed, not a few residents insist that the deplorable story of the city had not been told in full. They maintained that inasmuch as Sat­urday Sun did a marvellous job in throwing light on the state of affairs in the city, there were still some very ugly spots that were not covered. So, against the agitations of the resi­dents, our reporter visited some of the areas in dire need of attention on September 2. But coming into city, the reporter joined other travellers in trekking because of the traffic snarl at the Osisioma end of the Port Harcourt – Enugu expressway. Take this: Aba was liter­ally locked down on September 3 because of a gully after the rail crossing on Aba – Owerri Road. The resultant traffic snarl brought the city to a standstill as it spiralled to other areas.

Diary of decay

Indeed, every part of the city is in a sham­bles. Milverton Avenue, the home of most of the luxury buses that go to various parts of the country, is almost a no-go area because of a very big ‘river’ in the middle of the road. Located in the heart of the city, Miverton Av­enue, which used to be a pride of the city, is now a shadow of itself. When it rains, it be­comes almost impassable. In fact, only Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) navigate through the deep ‘river’ in the middle of the road. Any car or tricycle (keke) that dares to pass through the ‘river’ may not come out in one piece.

But if Milverton Avenue is in a sorry state, Eziukwu Road leading to Cemetry Market simply depicts hell on earth. The road had not only become impassable and abandoned, some of the buildings have been overtaken by flood, forcing the occupants to flee. It was gathered that snakes invade houses in the neighbourhood. “Eziukwu Road has become a no-go area. A part has become home for un­serviceable vehicles and junks. But flood has overtaken another part, making it impossible for people to live there for many years now. The place, as you can see, is abandoned and big snakes usually come out of the bushes,” lamented Mr Ephraim Nwaogwugwo, who lives in the neighbouring Ehi Road, which also is in a sorry state.

Obiora Street leading to the famous Eny­imba Stadium is equally in a very bad condi­tion. While Dan Fodio Road is in a class of its own, it is indescribable, a piteous sight. Tricycles and vehicles that pass there bear the brunt as most of the time they are trapped in the waterlogged crater.

Unity Street is a dead zone. Cut off from the adjoining street, it is a place to see and die. Ajali Street by Abam Street is nauseous, unsightly, an eyesore. Even pigs may not be comfortable living in such environment. Ironically, the residents of the area claim that it is dressed in false robe by the gov­ernment. “What they do is take photographs of good roads elsewhere and present same to the world as Aba. It’s been hell living in this neighbourhood; it’s been hell living in this town because of the state of the roads in particular. People hardly wear shoes in this neighbourhood. How can you do that when the entire place is in a mess, especially dur­ing the rainy season? However, they should remember that what a man sows that shall he reap,” noted a resident who identified himself simply as Tony.

Other major roads in Aba town that need urgent intervention include Market road, Hos­pital Road, Jubilee Road, Okwunuka Road, School Road, Uratta Road and Etche Road among others. In fact, virtually all the roads in the city are begging for attention. The situ­ation is that those who can afford it now go for SUVs. Car wash points are springing up all over the city because no car remains the same after an outing as it would be splashed with mud.

As it is in Ngwa Road, so it in Georges’ Road in terms of moulds of garbage. When the reporter went to the latter, it was near impossible for him to breathe because of the stench coming out of the wastes that litter everywhere. Investigations revealed that gar­bage bins receive some form of attention only when the contents begin to overflow.

Woe betide you if you are visited by fire in Aba. This is because the fire station on George’s Road is in a horrible condition. The vehicles in the station are dilapidated except one. As a matter of fact, the facility looks desolate. But the open space there has turned to a mechanic workshop and car park, even as it is rented to people for ceremonies such as marriage receptions.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=80414

stinggy:
Where is Kogi and Benue states?
Can you state the development that has happened in these two states over some years now?
I may not like Aregbe but in all honesty, Osun shouldn't be there if we're talking about top 3.

Bornu and Abia are taking their deserved spots. I think no 1 should be tie between Benue and Kogi.

Ralphlauren:


you can see how aregbesola's actions is bringing disgrace to the south west?

just because he is owing salaries and he had the audacity to speak up about it (unlike other governors), osun state has been at the mercy of one insult or another.

i wonder what his commisioner of finance and budget planning are doing? they shoud be blamed for this.

who advises the government to spend and spend without a 3-5year forecast of income(budgetary allocation), IGR and recurrent expenditure?

komek:
With the huge allocation in Delta state, Osun state seems to be better developed than the state under the Uduaghan led administration.

joseph1832:
Na only Osun you see there abi oremi mumu?.



Be thankful that you're not from Bornu.

LordMecuzy:
Nwanne Ihedioha2015 how u coping after loosing to Rochas? Now no federal government compensation self..... edit your username to 2019

Nwanne Ihedioha2015, how are you coping after losing to Rochas (losing what exactly? Is this the PDP candidate himself?)?
Now, there's still no federal government compensation (for you). Edit your username to 2019.

Omotayor123:

Alhamdulillah!!!!


I still rep my state jare....
Anyhow anyhow #

jerome4u:
Pls what are you saying. Did you just compare delta state with osun state, Pls I hav been to this two state and osun state is no where close to delta state in terms of development and delta are not owing workers salary

bettercreature:
Lazy Op,just because aregbe is unable to pay salaries doesn't mean osun is backward or poor,get your facts right osun is not poor,pdp destroyed osun or how can osun with 34 local government be getting second to the lowest allocation in Nigeria ? Even ekiti with half local government are gettin more allocation,someone need to tell us why Jonathan destroyed osun state,