By: Obinna Ndukwe Ibiam

When he came on board, in 2015, Governor Ikpeazu with sincerity of purpose declared war against bad roads in Abia by flagging off construction and rehabilitation of over 50 major roads which most are still ongoing and some have been commissioned and been celebrated today by Abians.

Tackling most of these roads headon which were abandoned for more than 30 years by past administrations wasn’t as easy as many deem fit as drainage systems were impossible to locate because of commercial buildings and warehouses that were ignorantly erected by individuals on top of major roads drainage system, making it much difficult for most roads to stand the test of time due to poor drainage systems for these roads.

It took a huge sacrifice by the people and the government to encourage the creation of new drainage systems in an already existing commercial city as Aba, by bringing down most of these illegal erected structures and building for people to see the good roads we are enjoying since the past 6 years.

Based on his obsession to build quality roads in Abia, Governor Ikpeazu and his team took a study of the topography and texture of Abia and came up with the new idea of Rigid Concrete Cement Technology.

This new innovation have seen the light of the day, first of it’s kind since the existence of the state, as it is more suitable and durable than the old pattern of road construction.

Rome was never built in 8 years and Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu who have invested enormous amount of money on Abia roads infrastructure will never be the last Governor Abia will have as it’s road infrastructural decay was never caused by this administration, rather this administration of Governor Ikpeazu have performed better than expected, aggressively gearing to do more before the end of his administration in 2023.

Governor Ikpeazu who have sworn to leave Abia better than he met it, intentionally chose road infrastructure because of how critical it was affecting the economy of the state, despite the resilient spirit of the people leaving in the commercial city of Aba, bad road network was hampering the free flow of economic opportunity and activities in the city.

There is no gain juxtaposing the economy and destiny of Aba in the past and now, as recently we are experiencing boost and ease for doing business as a result of the newly built and rehabilitated roads infrastructure under the present administration.

In January 2021, the National Agency for Natural Disaster and Control warned over 24 states and announced flooding menace that will be caused by heavy nature rain fall, which Abia was a partaker for the said announcement even till date.

Abuja, Rivers, Imo, Lagos, Germany, United States, Australia and Uganda experienced heavy natural rain and flooding, as flooding has never been peculiar to Abia and Aba since the creation of the world.

Obinna Ndukwe Ibiam and Concerned Igbo Leaders Forum, call on Abians irrespective of political affiliation to pray and support the Governor to do more as hipping blames and downsizing the efforts of the government is tantamount to evil.