Infrastructure revival, agric revolution raise Ikpeazu’s profile

Abia Governor,Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is on top of his game as a new consciousness sweeps through the length and breath of Abia as the governor bids to deliver in three key areas. In a bid to pragmatically bridge the alarming infrastructure gap in the state, three areas are in focus — critical infrastructure, agriculture, trade and commerce. After flagging off scores of roads and bridges across the three senatorial zones in an emergency approach christened the “Caterpillar Revolution,” the effort is yielding fruit with the completion and commissioning of about thirty-three roads and two bridges. Some many other roads are at advanced stages of completion. Governor Ikpeazu’s feat is the matchless record of building almost three roads per month, amid the prevailing scarcity of financial resources, occasioned by severe economic downturn. He has also embedded enduring quality in the jobs done so far, as he gives Ndi Abia durable roads via the Rigid Pavement road construction approach,better called Cement Technology. Realising that investment in infrastructure is key to Abia development, Ikpeazu has not disappointed Abians as he continues to fix deplorable roads in the state, including federal roads, even as he diligently pursues urban renewal and environmental policies to sanitize Abia cities and create an enabling environment for business and habitation. Little wonder,the world is applauding the Governor’s efforts in this sector. If Governor Ikpeazu is on track when it comes to bridging Abia infrastructure gap, a silent revolution is affot in the agric sector.. From funding to promotion of crop farming (where the state has comparative advantage) farmers and agro-preneurs are having a new lease of life. The stride in Agriculture is better appreciated in the pool of accessible credit facilities available to farmers, enlarging and harnessing value chain of the sector. Only recently, the Abia State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Palm Oil Mill with a private investor, S-ATM Nigeria Limited, on the Abia State Palm Estate in Ohambele, Ukwa East Local Government Area of the state. This is part of Ikpeazu’s effort to reinvigorate the many palm plantations dotting its landscape. According to the state Commissioner for Agriculture Hon. Uzor Azubike, S-ATM will build an oil mill inside the Palm Estate in Ohambele. The estate is employing over 5,000 Abians, greater percentage of which are from the host community.” Targeting 10,000 hectares of oil-palm plantation across the state, Abia is also developing 7.5 million palm seedlings between 2016 and 2019. The state would produce two million seedlings in the first phase of the Oil Palm Revolution at Ayaba Umeze in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area. The second will produce three million, while the third phase targets 2.5 million seedlings. Over 1,000 people have so far been employed. Part of the Oil Palm Revolution is establishment of community-based oil palm projects, which intend to inject the seedlings into the communities at subsidized prices. Under the arrangement, each community would have an anchor that would buy off fresh fruit bunches for processing, making it possible for every community to have a mini -palm processing mill, while the state builds an oil-palm refinery. From yet another angle, the attention on Made-in-Aba products has also given Ikpeazu a new sobriquet, the Chief Brand Ambassador of Made-in-Aba products. A job he has vowed to give all it takes to succeed, observers of Abia Governance know he was well prepared for this. They easily cite his inaugural speech on May 29,2015: “I’m proud to stand in front of this crowd today clad in all made in Aba attire. I pledge to wear made-in-Aba all through my service as Governor and beyond, not because of lack of options but because it is good to be proud of what we have, especially if it’s the best.. The time is ripe to use the over 110,000 shoemakers and 50,000 garment makers as a launching pad to enable Abia to truly become the undisputed SME capital of Nigeria”. In the past few months, there has been unprecedented commercial and emotional interest in Made-in-Aba brand. The campaign has also gained political traction with relevant legislation and policies made in favour of indigenous products. The governor has personally sold Aba-made shoes,wear and allied products to eminent Nigerians, including former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Senate President, Dr Olusola Saraki, members of the National Assembly and the enlarged political and business elite. Ikpeazu’s Economic Diplomacy recently attracted the supply of some 50,000 pairs of combat footwear to Nigerian Army. It has also spurred diaspora demand, with initial order of 2000 shoes for Abia school children who are benefiting from the Shoe- to- School project. More orders are trickling in as Aba tailors and shoe makers are doing good business. In conclusion, Ikpeazu is driving the essential Abia economic growth and development on the tripod of Infrastructure Renaissance, Agriculture Revolution and aggressive marketing of the state with Aba and its commercial potentials as touchstone. In pursuit of this excellent governance strategy,the image of the People’s Governor is soaring beyond words and imagination. And there is no stopping it. Uche Olehi is media aide to Abia government.