Q: Aba may not have reached Eldorado (development even in the most advanced cities of the world is a never-ending process), but the city blessed with people known for their ingenuity across Nigeria, is on a sure path to development.
Aba used to be abandoned, but I can assertively write that, not anymore. Have you been there recently? I suggest you do. Even after reading this article, don’t take my word for it (although I would love that you do), neither should you take the words of the naysayers; take a trip to this famed city, to see things for yourself and listen to the good tales as told by locals.
As a media aide I am part of the government and for this you may be impelled to say and you will be right that, I am paid to write. This is why I propose that you come to Aba, walk among the residents, and then judge for yourself who is reporting the truth; the state government or the opposition, whose job it is to discredit the government by misinforming the public.
Aba of yesteryears is not the same today. Under Abia’s duly elected governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, this once upon a time abandoned city has been remembered and is fast regaining its lost glory. Structures and infrastructures are being put in place to ensure that businesses continue to grow and that the residents flourish in a secure environment. Roads have been constructed and still being constructed, along with drainages and streetlights to reduce flooding and extend business hours respectively.
Aba may not have reached Eldorado (development even in the most advanced cities of the world is a never-ending practice), but the city blessed with people known for their ingenuity across Nigeria, is on a sure path to development. The administration of governor Ikpeazu continues to commission and construct strategic roads in and around the city;roads that had been abandoned for years, roads that upon completion will not only alleviate the plight of residents but aid business growth and usher in an era of prosperity for all.
The concept of an era of prosperity for all Abians, which inspired government’s rationale in its concerted focus on Aba is as a result of the good-thinking that a rejuvenated Aba is the catalyst to developing the entire Abia State. Whether Umuahia, Ohafia, Isuikwuato or Omoba, no other city in the State has a proximity of an hour or less to key cities in neighbouring States. A developed Aba will indeed open the floodgate to prosperity for all.
Recently, governor Ikpeazu flagged off the construction of the 5 kilometre Ibere road, which connects Ngwa road with Port Harcourt road. Aside Ibere, the Ohazu, Ozuomba, Uratta, Faulks and Obohia roads were also flagged off, with construction said to begin before March. More than these roads, it was the Ibere road that got a lot of people talking. Two unrelated persons during different conversations told me in these exact words: “I never believed this road would be constructed in my lifetime.”
One of them who hails from a nearby town alleged that, “the Ibere road was so bad that families living in the community were cut-off from their relations living outside.”This accounts for the jubilation that greeted Ikpeazu’s presence during the flagging off. It goes to say that, thanks to the governor, communities are going to be reunited with their loved ones.
As described by governor Ikpeazu during the flagging off ceremony, these roads are “strategic” to the development of Abia State. The Ibere road for instance joins the Aba-Port Harcourt expressway directly. Anyone who lives in Rivers State but travels to Aba to conduct business transactions will appreciate the decision to construct this road, which will mitigate the traffic at the point of entry into Abia State from the Ariaria Junction axis.
Another road that the State Government is focused on is the Umuobiakwa-Owoahiafor/Onitcha-Ngwa road which leads to the Aba-Ikot-Ekpene highway. With this road in good shape, for those travelling to Akwa-Ibom , there will be no need to go to Aba to connect this highway. And for the business traveller, there’s going to be a reduction in time spent on traffic.
Within seven months, these are the roads that have been completed by the Ikpeazu administration in Aba and other parts of the state. They are the Owerri Road done using the cement concrete technology, Umuola Road, Ommne drive, Kamalu Road, East Street, Park Road, Pound Road, St Michaels Road, Adazi Street, Ube Road, George’s Street, Eastern Union Road, Umuocham Road, Umuimo Road, Kaduna Street, and Niger Street.
While the Umule Road, Ochefu Road, Emelogu Road, Milverton Avenue and Yorks Street are nearing completion, the Omuma Road, Old Express Road (which is being dualized), Ngwa Road East end, Jubilee Road, Hospital Road, Eziukwu Road, Ukaegbu Road, Ehi Road, Udegbala Road, Weeks Road, Ehere Road, Umuobiakwa-Owoahiafor/Onitsha Ngwa Road, Itukpa-Osaa/Ohuru-Nkwowelechi Junction, Aba-Obikabia Road, Isiukwuato Road, World Bank Road network, Ururuka Road (dualization) are all under construction.
The massive construction of roads infrastructure in Aba (some of them already constructed and in use), is part of the state government’s broader vision of a rejuvenated urban city. The mirage of challenges facing Aba and practical solutions on how they can be resolved were discussed at the Aba Urban Development Summit held on January 14 this year.
In a paper titled ‘Re-Igniting Aba for quantum growth’, delivered by the Special Adviser to governor Ikpeazu on Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion, Mr Austin Ufomba, perspective was provided to buttress the argument on why government’s decision to give priority to Aba more than any other city in the State, was an informed one.
“Aba is one of the leading commercial cities in Africa. This City is known nationally as the commercial hub of the South-East of Nigeria with a strong manufacturing, distribution, retail and small medium enterprise businesses. Aba is over 50% of Abia GDP, Abia’s GDP is ranked 12th in the country. Aba GDP is estimated at $4.97B 25m Captive population Hub of SME in Nigeria.
“Aba GDP growing at an average of 7.4% vs. National at 6.4% GDP Per capita higher (X3) than National Average Captive GDP of $68B (SE/SS). The most important economic engine in Aba is Trade and Commerce. The largest market in West Africa, the Ariaria Market with over 100,000 shops and an estimated 50,000 shoppers daily is located in Aba.”
Government is aware that good road infrastructure is key to increasing the above statistics, and so the decision for the massive road construction across the city of Aba, a good number of which has been completed and has resulted in businesses starting to flourish again. What we now have is an Aba on the road to recovery. This is the reality. If you’re in doubt, come see!
Ojo Maduekwe
Maduekwe is Special Assistant on Media to Governor Ikpeazu
