GOVERNOR T.A ORJI AND THE ABIA PROJECT

GOVERNOR T.A ORJI AND THE ABIA PROJECT

For most individuals, the purpose of life is achieved when expended on causes that enhance the interest and well-being of the greater majority. For Theodore Ahamefule Orji (Ochendo), nothing else approximates to this external truth. Since his enthronement as the executive Governor, he has pursued his gubernatorial assignment with the zeal of the early Christians. He has tenaciously married his personal vision and convictions to the dream and aspirations of Abia founding fathers whohad longed for a state where peace and justice would reign; where love for one another would be a common anthem; where equal opportunities for all citizens and even development would form the basis for their collective existence as a people.

The collective hope of the people that democratic government would compensate years of locust was dashed when the regime from 1999-2007 mindlessly engaged in primitive grandeur and grounded the state economy. Worst still, Abia un-wittingly severed herself from the central government as the state maintained an un-enviable position. The consequences were visible as most of what the state could gain from the national common wealth was denied here-in.

The governor has remained focused and un-daunted in his pursuit of the Abia project notwithstanding limited receipts from federal allocations and often dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Governor T.A. Orji has demonstrated un-waving commitment to the provision of social infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state in fulfillment of his electoral promises.

In order to strengthen his rural development commitment; the Governor has established the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC). Barely one year of its existence, the commission has lived up to its mission; numerous roads rehabilitations, renovations of dilapidated school infrastructures, award of scholarship, artisan support scheme, rural electrification, sinking of boreholes etc., all stand out to its credit.

In order to assuage the ill-feelings generated by the regime from 1999-2007 in the appointment of key personnel in the state civil service, especially the appointment of permanent secretaries where a particular section of the state enjoyed un-holy monopoly. Governor T.A. Orji in the last few years elevated top officers from hitherto marginalized sections of the state to maintain some balance for this level of officers across the state.

A strong believer in the Abia chatter of equity, which advocates the rotation of political power among the constituent’s zones, Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji has committed himself to be agreed document on power shift to his Ukwa-Ngwa kinsmen.

The Governor is also in the forefront of the creation of Abia State. The massive support and goodwill which the Governor enjoys from this densely populated zone is a measure of the degree of appreciation from the Ukwa – Ngwa bloc.

In the words of Chief T.A. Orji after his swearing in into office for his second tenure, he stated thus; “I pledge that our new government will provide the needed good governance, and lead with frankness, honesty and vigor. We will provide the enabling environment, infrastructural facilities and new markets to help the over – all development of the Abia economy, and at the end, liberate the famed, but now, eclipsed ingenuity and business acumen of our people, which once made Aba-produced goods, famous all over the world and our people known for their self-sustaining industriousness.”

Giving a dispassionate judgment with regards to the obvious developmental strides presently in Abia State, one would appreciate the sincerity of the Chief T.A Orji’s administration in delivering on its promise.

The task of state building is no mean assignment. It requires collaborative effort of both the leadership and the followership.

Abians should not trifle with this rare opportunity of consolidating on then current achievements of Chief T.A. Orji’s administration. Let us all support Chief T.A. Orji in his quest to leave Abia better than he met it.