A two-time Deputy Governor of Abia State, a former Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, a farmer and the Chairman, Aba Landlords Association in Abia State, Rt. Hon. Acho Nwakanma, stressed that the good roads we are witnessing in Abia State today, especially in Aba, the commercial center of the state are catalyst for the current development in Abia.

He made this known while interacting with newsmen at his country home in Ohanze Isiahia, Obingwa Local Government Area of the state. According to him, before the present administration, Abia lagged behind in economic and infrastructural development. Without appropriate infrastructure and capacity building being put in place, it is absolutely difficult for businesses to thrive and the economy to grow.

There is a breath of life in Aba. The landlords are happy with the current development in Aba. Before now, a lot of landlords were loosing their investments because of bad roads and kidnapping which made them to sell their investments at giveaway prize. But right now, their investment has appreciated and the story is different, he said.

He thanked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for boosting the confidence of Aba artisans with his various empowerment programmes and training and his marketing strategy and promotion of the made-in-Aba brand which he said has added value to our local products and the I-can- do spirit of an average Aba man.

He also noted that Agriculture is the greatest employer of labour but the problem is funding and marketing. With the support of Gov. Ikpeazu-led administration in agricultural activities especially in mechanized farming of casava, rice, palm oil which are our areas of natural advantage, there is need to do more. While appreciating the governor for the distribution of tenera palm seedlings, he stressed that the small farmers need to be encouraged through funding and creation of commodity market system.

For there to be meaningful development in the state, there is need to carry everybody along, both party members and the opposition parties and the governor knows this, that is why he is achieving huge success.

Finally, for the former legislator, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu is not selfish; service delivery is his key word. He is respectful, intelligent, always focused on what he is doing, he listens and because of his home boy nature, he understands Abia problems.

Kingsley Maduforo, writes from Umuahia.