I won't disappoint Abia people - Gov Ikpeazu

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has promised not to disappoint the peo­ple of the state in the implementa­tion of programmes and policies he has initiated.

The governor disclosed that he will soon begin massive reha­bilitation of rural roads during the second year of his administration.

Ikpeazu stated this in Ohafia and Isiukwuato during a Town Hall Meeting for Abia North Senatorial District, where he also promised to construct the Ohafia-Udumeze Golf Course and Event Centre.

He said: “I’ve come to you as the owners of the mandate I am holding in trust, to report back to you what we’ve done in the first year in office, as your stewards, and also unveil our plans and oth­er things we want to do as we have entered the second year.

“As your governor, let me re­assure you that I will never disap­point you. I will not fail you. De­spite the economic downturn in the country, we have not relented on the promises we made to you when we came to you, asking for your votes.

“We promised to address the issue of road infrastructure; so far, we have completed and com­missioned 32 roads across the state. And work is still ongoing on 30 other roads across Abia. Let me say it here again that our roads have minimum lifespan of 10 years, that’s why we are using the cement technology on most of them.

“We are interested in the economy of Abia State that’s why we are doing more roads in Aba because Aba will drive the econo­my of our state. But in this second year, we shall focus on rural roads. The idea is to ensure that what we produce in our farms in our villag­es and communities can be trans­ported easily to the cities,” he said.

While responding to a ques­tion, Governor Ikpeazu called on Abia youths to acquire relevant skills and also get involved in ag­riculture.

“Let me use this opportuni­ty to call on youths of Abia State to learn skills and craft. This is the time to develop skills. As you read for your certificates, also develop your skills.

“Think of agriculture, it’s the way to go. Let us go back to agri­culture. I’m going back to farm­ing, so I invite you to join me,” Ik­peazu said.

Responding to the recur­ring attacks by herdsmen and the controversial grazing reserves, the governor said that, “Abia has taken a position on the issue of grazing reserves for herdsmen. Our po­sition is we are looking for lands for farming and lands to build our houses, so we do not have lands to donate for grazing reserves to herdsmen.”

In his closing remarks, the Secretary of the People’s Demo­cratic Party (PDP) Board of Trus­tees (BoT), Chief Ojo Maduekwe, commended the governor and in the state.

He commended Ikpeazu for his giant strides in infrastruc­tural development, despite the dwindling revenue allocation and urged him to sustain the tempo.

Maduekwe noted that the rate at which the governor was pursu­ing infrastructural development was commendable and said Abi­ans prefer good roads to receiving “hand-outs from those in power.”

His words: “As an elder, I want to warn that as we are hailing the governor now for his wonderful work in developing infrastruc­ture especially roads, we should not complain if he stops giving money to the people.

“Infrastructural development needs huge funds. That means he should stop giving money to the people and to churches, Ndieze, and myself even though I need it,” he joked.