Gov. Orji’ll
Complete Ongoing Projects
…CPS,
Charles Ajunwa
Charles Ajunwa, Chief
Press Secretary (CPS) to Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, in this
interview with select journalists including Uzo Chikere in
Lagos speaks on some political issues concerning the state including Orji’s
senatorial clearance by INEC, godfatherism in Abia among other issues
Excerpt:
Now that the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji has
acceded and cleared to run for the Senate, how have Abians reacted to it?
Abians are very happy that at last Ochendo has accepted to
run and has been cleared. I can confess to you that there were jubilations from
all sections of the state. Of course you are aware that he has been reluctant
on this issue of senatorial seat race for Abia Central despite the intense
clamour. His argument was that he would not want to lose focus or be distracted
from governance but of course being human too, he has to yield to the calls and
passionate plea of the people. The truth is that when the people need you for a
service it is not always easy to refuse because it’s always a privilege and recognition
that you are capable, that they trust you and that they are behind you. On the
case of His Excellency, Chief Theodore Orji the clamour to draft him was so
high because the people know he has put up outstanding performance through a
very diligent service to the people. The people have assured him they will be
there on the Election Day to vote him in. I think what has happened is a good
omen and we are optimistic he will come out in flying colours come 2015.
What do you think Abians should expect more from their
governor and are you optimistic he would complete projects started?
I am optimistic that His Excellency will complete most of
the projects he started from its foundation. The truth is that government is a
continuum and if there are perhaps some that he would not finish; his successor
would take them up and complete them. He still has some projects like the airport,
seaport among others which are already on stream. Governor T.A.Orji’s projects
are labeled legacy projects and the reason is that those projects were not
there before now and they ought to, if there must be genuine development, it is
for a smooth take-off for the state but sadly enough previous governments
played politics with it. There are projects that must be completed and
commissioned and the governor is deeply committed to them. For instance the
International Conference Centre is a world class project and the place can
contain over 7,000 capacity crowd. It’s a no mean feat as we have never had
such before. The one we have now can take perhaps 500 and at the moment
there is no week in the state that there will not be one event or the other,
conferences or workshops, both private and government activities going on as a
result of the peaceful environment that we have. The International Conference
Centre is a project that is almost completed. Is it not shameful that it is now
that the governor has put up a befitting state secretariat, four-storey, and
two magnificent buildings with lift? Already, ministries have moved in.
It is now that a government house and lodge are being put up because the
present one is a rented apartment. There is also a befitting JACK building
complex where the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the
Traditional Ruler’s Council will move in. there is the ASUBEB building and we
know that before now that parasternal used to be in a rented building but today
the story is different. Most companies find it difficult to hold their AGM’s
and other important meetings because of lack of space. These are some of the
things that the governor factored in and said no, that Abia State as a number
one state in Nigeria deserves a befitting international conference centre.
Today Abians are happy with the edifice, a magnificent structure and very soon
it will be commissioned at Ogurube Layout with other projects too. Don’t forget
that the Centre will not only create employment but will be a revenue
generating venture because it will attract people from all parts of the world.
The hospitality business will also enjoy from it because people coming in will
have to stay in hotels and guest houses of very good standards which is
available.
Are we talking about the road projects, housing sector, and
the health sector where His Excellency has done so much and the diagnostic
Centres can stand among the best in the world. Today Abia state specialist and
diagnostic centre is among the best with state of the art equipment in this
part of the globe. Ohobo Afara housing estate and other estates are all projects
to cherish. Okagwe road in Ohafia, Okwoi to Ozuitem road, JACK building, skill
acquisition centres, Ovim Acha road in Isiukwuato, modern bus terminal, Ochendo
liberation estates, construction of general hospitals, Abia state liberation
farms, ASOPADEC complex, lodu-Ndume-Ibeku road, Abia state specialist
hospitals, dialysis and diagnostic centres, 100-bed ward hospitals at different
zones, PHCN station at Ohiya in Umuahia, Abia mall, youth empowerment projects.
Talking about the intangibles you talk about the security, the peace that we
are enjoying in the state. Since the governor came on board and met a
challenging security situation by way of armed robbery, kidnapping and other
violent crimes, he took his time and put up workable strategies that have tackled
the situation. Of course today, we can boast and say that this state is
peaceful and crime-free, although by nature there may still be minor incidence
that will occur.
But recently a journalist was kidnapped….?
That is why I said there may sometimes be an incidence that
may occur. Of course no society is 100 percent crime-free. The truth is that
the governor has done so much for Abians to have the type of peaceful
environment that we are witnessing now. We knew how it was before Ochendo’s
tenure. We knew how banks before now will not open for business or at 12 noon
because of armed robbery attacks but today all that has become history. And
even the journalist you mentioned the state government did not keep quiet over
it. They were on top of the situation and we thank God at the end his life was
saved. It was an unfortunate incident but we are happy our colleague was
back alive to join his family back. Immediately the information of the
kidnap filtered in to the knowledge of government, all security network was put
on the alert. Government did not fold his arms but was on top of the situation
but we are grateful as I said that all is now over and our kidnapped colleague
is withy the family and back to work.
Is it true that your principal, governor T.A.Orji has an
anointed candidate for the election?
I think the governor at different fora and at different
interviews has reacted to that question. He said his candidate can only emerge
from the polls, that his candidate must be the one chosen by the people
themselves. And I think that his position is the best by someone who is a
democrat. He has not been known as one that has over-bearing influence on
people. If you ask me I do not think Ochendo has any candidate of choice rather
whoever the people chooses, he will take as his candidate.
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