The Commissioner for Information Culture and Strategy in Abia State, Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, speaks about the recent victory of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at the Federal Court of Appeal and the challenges the state is facing even as it marked its golden jubilee recently
Abia State is one of the states that marked 25th anniversary recently. How has the journey been?
The creation of Abia State in 1991 by General Ibrahim Babangida’s Administration, brought a good opportunity for the hardworking people of Abia State to develop their communities, promote commerce, industry and showcase the ingenuity which majority of the people are identified with.
So much of understanding and collective agreements among the founding fathers, political and religious leaders, as well as traditional rulers, top businessmen and women; the youths etc, have moved the State to a great height in the comity of states. Quite a lot of sound developmental strides have been recorded in the State. 25 years after, Abia has justified the expectations of the people who laboured for its creation.
The state has been blessed with leaders who placed premium on the well being of the people. The emergence of the current Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from Abia South Senatorial Zone, and in particular from the Ukwa/Ngwa section of the state, is a perfect fulfillment of the spirit and letters of the Abia Charter of Equity, which was created by the founding fathers and majority of the leaders in the state with the sole aim of catering for the political interests of every part of the state.
Abia State has been enmeshed in a political battle until a Court of Appeal rebuked Justice Okon Abang and reversed his verdict. How did your governor receive the first and second verdicts?
Dr. Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State, is a very mature person who believes firmly in the efficiency of the Nigerian judiciary. He does not accept that the error or mistake of one judicial officer could amount to the failure of the entire judiciary.
He believes that judiciary in Nigeria is made up of very responsible and mature judges and justices whose credibility cannot be faulted. He knew that an erroneous judgement against his election could be reversed and corrected by other eminent justices in the superior courts.
So, he took the court rulings, especially the wrong ones in his strides. He addressed the people and advised them to remain calm, not to panic or cause trouble in any manner. He assured Abians that he believed that more mature justices at the superior courts would reverse the wrong judgement. Again, the governor is a very strong believer in the supremacy of the sovereign powers of the Most High God. Both he and the entire people of Abia State prayed and called on God for His intervention.
We are all happy that the Court of Appeal defended the Nigerian judiciary and promoted democracy in the country by giving judgements that received accolades from Nigerians and the world at large.
Responses from the international community on the Court of Appeal Judgements against Justice Okon Abang’s rulings on the Abia governorship cases, showed the level of attention the world paid on that matter and its consequences on Nigerian Democracy
What has the reaction been in the entire state since the reversal of the court verdict and what is the next focus of the state?
It has been celebration upon celebration. Various groups have held several thanksgiving services and dance parties. The level of celebration people have embarked on, leaves one wondering what could have become of Abia State had Justice Okon Abang sustained his wrong judgement on the Abia governorship election?
Even, on August 27, 2016, all the 732 traditional rulers in the State, including the traditional ruler of Uche Ogah’s native community collectively gathered in Umuahia and affirmed implicit confidence in the Administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
The traditional rulers declared unequivocally that they are fed up with litigations over the governorship of Abia State since the last general elections in 2015.
They questioned why has Abia been the only State in Nigeria still burdened with court cases over governorship seat when the rest of the country is busy carrying out development programmes? Governor Ikpeazu’s next focus is to continue with various development projects he has embarked on, as well as encourage the conduct of local government elections in the State within the shortest possible time.
How well have you been doing with execution of the state’s N101.4bn 2016 Budget of Restoration, giving the current recession and shortfall in revenue?
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is highly disciplined and very conscious of provisions of the laws. His high level of prudence makes it impossible for anyone in this government to engage in illegalities. Genuine efforts are on to improve the Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR), of the state.
Could you be more specific on your IGR?
I may not be able to give you the details now, but as far as IGR is concerned, the state government, under the leadership of our indefatigable governor is doing all it can to ensure all revenues due to the state are collected for overall development. Even as it is, before the end of the year, the state government is working to ensure it meets its revenue projections as contained in the budget.
The fact is that based on information from my counterpart in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, our IGR has increased considerably from what it used to be, although we have not been able to reach our revenue target.
Our IGR Committee under the leadership of the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Udeh Okochukwu, is following the Lagos model where a enumeration of all possible sources of revenue is done. You also want to remember that the current economic situation is a national issue, but the governor is working round the clock to put smiles on our people’s faces.
What is the policy trust of this administration and to what extent has the state achieved this?
The administration is anchored on five pillars and four enablers, principally aimed to boost trade, commerce, industry, manufacturing and make the State selfsustaining. The pillars are manufacturing, trade and commerce, industry, agriculture, infrastructure, oil and gas, as well as Education.
Even education is tailored towards youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. That is why we have E4E, Education for Empowerment. Genuine youth empowerment programmes are on-going to ensure effective upbringing of future leaders who will be experts in their chosen fields of study.
The Governor is empowering export of made in Abia products to elevate the quality of locally made goods, through this means promote local entrepreneurship. In Agriculture, farmers are receiving assistance that encourage the growth and production of palm produce, cassava, cocoa, poultry products etc.
Industries that were abandoned for over 40 years are being revived. soon, the Golden Guinea Breweries will commence operation. The Aba Glass Industry has already commenced production while work on the long forgotten Enyimba Hotels has been flagged off. A good number of the abandoned industries will become active soon, thus creating jobs for the numerous number of unemployed youths.
Aba the commercial capital is said to be suffering from infrastructural deficit, how are you taking this and what level of support does the state government have for it?
Most of the abandoned industries being revived are in Aba, as well as private businesses that are being encouraged to produce leather and other products that today meet international standards are all Aba based. It is expected that Aba will be restored to its original position as Nigeria’s major trade centre and the “Japan” of Africa with complete return of those industries and business magnets.
How has the state government been handling the issues of roads, education and accumulated salaries?
On assumption of office, Dr. Ikpeazu embarked on massive construction and repair of roads with cement technology to ensure long duration of the roads. So far, 65 roads have received adequate attention with 33 roads fully completed. Aba has 27 of such, while work is on-going on 11 roads within the city.
In spite of the pronounced recession in the country, the Abia State governor is determined to elevate the corporate image of the state far above expectations of the masses.
Education sector is receiving adequate attention with encouragement given to the youths to ensure brighter future for them. The sum of N10,000 has been reduced from school fees payable by students of the Abia State University, Uturu, who are indigenes of the state. On accumulated salaries, the Government has continued to meet its obligations according to availability of funds.
Everyone knows that the economy of Nigeria is down, the Federal Government has been singing the song. We all know that most states in the country are affected by the recession, but Governor Ikpeazu is determined to improve the welfare of the workers.
But the poor financial condition of the country is affecting every good plan. However, whatever the situation, the governor will ensure that Abia emerges the dream state of the people of God’s own State.
– New Telegraph
