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  • Orji inaugurates projects

    Orji inaugurates projects

    Abia State Governor  Theodore Orji has started inaugurating some of the legacy projects completed by his administration.

    Among the projects he flagged off are the Umuahia Bus Terminal along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway and the 1.5km ring-road at the Ohiya/Nsukwe Mechanic, Spare Parts and Allied Products Market.

    Governor Orji said the Umuahia bus terminal will help decongest the city as all buses will take off and return to the terminal daily, while there is hope the area in which the terminal is located will open up the state capital.

    He said that the bus terminal is designed to provide a central motor park and commended the contractor who handled the project for completing it on time. He stressed that it is part of his promise to the people of the state.

    In his speech at the Ohiya mechanic village, the governor said that government after relocating the mechanic and spare parts dealers had to provide them with the basic amenities including water and access road.

    Orji pointed out that all the internal roads in the market were built by the Ministry of Works and stated that the new market, which is better than the former one, has brought further development to Umuahia. He appealed to the traders to have confidence in the government.

    In his speech, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Renewal, Elder Godwin Nna, appealed to all transport companies that converted residential buildings to motor parks to relocate to the bus terminal before the illegal motor parks are sealed off.

    The chairman, Ohiya Mechanic Village, Mr Aham Agoha thanked the governor for relocating them to a better place and creating a comfortable environment for them to do their business and pledged their support to his government.

    Governor Orji said the essence of providing model schools for pupils and students in the state is to give them a sense of belonging. He said this while commissioning the Ndume Otuka and Afugiri Model Primary Schools in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

    He said that education remains a priority in his government while government has provided a conducive environment for learning and teaching in the state, adding that one model school is located in each of the 17 local government areas in the state apart from other schools being refurbished by his government to enhance the quality of education.

    He said that the model schools are equipped with desks and chairs for pupils and teachers, borehole, generating set, modern library among others, pointing out that Abia students and pupils have done the state proud at various fora, adding that no resource spent in education will be counted as a waste.

    Earlier, the Local Government Area Sure-P chairman, Chief Joseph Ogwo said the two model schools are among the many built by Sure-P and scattered in the 17 council areas of the state.

    He pointed out that Sure-P has also constructed 100-bed hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state.

  • Orji, Okorocha embrace at daughter’s wedding

    Orji, Okorocha embrace at daughter’s wedding

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and his Abia State counterpart, Theodore Orji, put aside their political rivalry yesterday and embraced at the traditional wedding of Okorocha’s daughter.

    Orji arrived Okorocha’s country home in Okpoko, Ideato South Local Government Area, about 5pm with a large entourage.

    He was received by Okorocha amid loud cheers of “Ochendo global”, one of Orji’s appellations.

    The two governors had traded words over the sack of Imo State indigenes in Abia State civil service.

    Orji, who also chairs Southeast Governors’ Forum, went straight to his reserved seat near Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    To some political observers, Orji’s visit had a political significance, folowing the plan by Southeast governors to persuade Okorocha to drop his presidential ambition and endorse President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.

    But a source close to the Imo State governor, who spoke in confidence, dismissed any political undertone to Orji’s visit.

    The source said: “Orji came in his capacity as the chairman of the Southeast Governor’s Forum and it was not political. You cannot also rule out the fact that Abia and Imo are neighbouring states and Orji cannot possibly stay away from Okorocha’s daughter’s wedding.

  • Orji to host wrestling tourney

    Orji to host wrestling tourney

    Thrilled by the outcome of the Commonwealth Champion of Champions wrestling competition in Aba on August 31, Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji, has pledged to host the Commonwealth/ Americas Unifying Championship in the state later this year.

    Nigeria’s Osita Offor, also known as De Ultimate Commander, defeated South Africa’s Tornado to become the undisputed Commonwealth heavyweight champion.

    He will now face the winners of the Americas and European championships in a battle of champions to determine the king of world wrestling.

    Speaking during a reception for the Abia-born Ultimate Commander, Governor Orji, an avid wrestling fan, said the victory demonstrated the state government’s belief that given adequate encouragement Nigerian youths will excel in all their endeavours.

    The governor recalled that a certain Giant Alakuku from Umunneochi, which is De Commander’s local council of the state, was once the strongest man in Nigeria, adding that he was not surprised that another giant from the council is flying the state’s flag at the world arena.

    “I want to say that you have done well for Abia State and Nigeria in general. Your feat is in line with our policy of encouraging the youths of the state to maximise their talents in gainful endeavour. We are behind you in your quest for higher achievements.”

    He promised to ensure that the Commonwealth/Americas Championship is brought to Abia State in December, adding that the state government would also provide the space and other things De Ultimate Commander would need to establish his wrestling and other combat sports academy in the state.

    The championship, which attracted fans from Abia, Imo, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Rivers as well as Cross River states, also featured Hulk Hogan lookalike, Mr Wrestling, Kwaito Kidd, Ananzi, as well as such notable musicians and comedians as KCee, Spyderman,  God Pikin and Kanayo O. Kanayo, among others.

  • Orji to opposition: stop attacking me

    Orji to opposition: stop attacking me

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has warned the opposition to stop attacking his administration.

    The governor said the opposition was getting undue publicity from the attacks.

    He described such attitude as wishful thinking and defeatist.

    Orji was reacting to the remarks credited to the National Publicity Secretary of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Ogbuehi Dike, who allegedly accused the Orji administration of failing to develop the state.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Ajunwa, the governor described UPP as a moribund and ghost party that was desperately looking for public attention.

    He said: “UPP, which is a party that was dead on arrival, tops the list of dead parties in Abia State which should be ignored, as the living has no business with the dead, as the people are better focused to developmental achievements of my administration.”

    The governor said the opposition and those he called political failures had resorted to destructive criticisms of his administration as “part of their belated strategies to gain cheap popularity ahead of the 2015 general polls”.

    He described his critics as political chaffs that posed no threat to his administration.

    Orji dismissed the “media attack” against his administration as the ranting of a drowning political desperado.

    The statement reads: “The attention of Abia State Government has been drawn to the renewed media attack on my person and my people-oriented administration by some frustrated and inconsequential political failures whose only method of seeking relevance is attacking the government.

    “The government wishes to state that it would not be distracted by the antics of detractors who will never see the wave of transformation pervading the Abia landscape, courtesy of my focused and purposeful leadership.

    “Joining issues with political Lilliputians and incoherent detractors will only amount to dignifying their untenable fallacies, hence, my resolve to ignore them and remain focused on my transformation agenda which has since restored Abia on the path of greatness.

    “It is only obvious that Abia has no worse enemy than any person or group under any guise which fails to acknowledge the widely applauded strides of my administration, which has successfully laid a strong foundation for Abia’s development in all sectors.”

  • Abia’s journey, Orji’s legacy

    Abia’s journey, Orji’s legacy

    As Governor Theodore Orji led his people to celebrate the state’s 23rd anniversary last week, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, takes a look at Abia State’s journey so far and reports that the ‘legacy projects’ of the outgoing governor, if preserved and put in proper use, are poised to lay fresh foundation for future socio-economic and political development of the state.

    Monday, August 25 to Wednesday, August 28, 2014 will remain indelible in the minds of Governor Theodore Orji and the people of Abia State. Throughout those days, and indeed, all through the week, the state government and the people rolled out drums to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the creation of the state.

    Created from the old Imo State on 27th August, 1991 by the then military government of General Ibrahim Babangida, the South-East state, with 2006 census population of 2,833.999, is one of the nine constituent states of the Niger Delta region.

    The celebration

    The colour, the dance and the joy that defined series of activities in Umuahia during the week-long anniversary reveal, according to a retired civil servant, Chief Nkemjika Udoka, “the notion most Abians share today – that in spite of criticisms, Abia, after over two decades of aimless crawling like a baby, has finally found her feet, a solid foundation to rest on in order to commence the journey for future progress and success.”

    Chief Udoka, who danced heartily with some women groups, during the Tuesday ceremonies at the Government House, Umuahia, told The Nation: “I am no longer in the service; but I was here when it all began in 1991, when we left Owerri (Imo State capital) to resume in Umuahia here. There were no offices. For over a decade when I was still here, the story remained the same. It continued and many of us, who have visited other states that were created at the same time with our state, were ashamed that we may celebrate our silver jubilee in rented and dilapidated offices. What we are seeing today, two years to the silver jubilee, shows that Abia is poised to wake up after all. That’s why an old man like me wants to dance today,” he said as he hurried off to acknowledge and join approaching Ohafia war dancers.

    For the people and their governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, it is a period of camaraderie and stock taking as they approach the silver jubilee of the state fondly called “God’s Own state.”

    Legacy Concept

    The 23rd anniversary is described as unique for two reasons: Being the last anniversary the current governor, Orji, would host in that capacity, it is considered an end of a political era and the beginning of another and also a kind of send forth for the governor, or so to say. Secondly, admirers of Orji’s administration say his legacy projects have indeed laid a fresh socio-economic and political foundation for the state and will therefore be considered as the new dawn for Abia.

    The argument is that most of the basic infrastructural facilities needed for effective take off and administration of the state were not provided by the previous governments, thus leaving the state dormant and the capital look like an abandoned colonial village. Such basic facilities that remained mere illusion for over two decades in the life of Abia State included a functional secretariat, offices for ministries and parastatals, a befitting capital city, preliminary foundations for development of new cities, modern estates and projects that would launch and sustain new economic base for the state and her people.

    Given the absence of these elementary needs, it become clear to all that Abia needed a new beginning, a new foundation. It was his attempt to provide these primary needs, something that should have been done by the pioneers, that are referred to today as Orji’s legacy projects. If you ask him what he would like to be remembered for after his tenure as the governor, Orji, without hesitation would tell you, “I want to be remembered as a legacy governor.”

    So, what are these legacies the governor always harps on? Besides intangible but concrete legacies, like creation of conducive political atmosphere for unity, cooperation and progress, maintenance of peace through adequate security of lives and property; Orji refers to provision of the basic infrastructural facilities as the legacy projects.

    Talking about these projects, the Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr Eze Chikamnayo, said in a recent interview: “In the last inventory that we took on the achievement of Chief T. A. Orji administration, we had over 10,000 standing projects that we can point at on ground.”

    Amongst the most outstanding of these physical projects are the ultra modern International Conference Centre, Umuahia; the new governor’s lodge, the workers secretariat complex, relocation of the old market that was at the centre of Umuahia to a more spacious location, the sprouting Abia State Events Centre at the location of the old market, roads, housing estates and others.

    Commenting on the anniversary and Orji’s legacy, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, a nationalist and one of the founding fathers of Abia, reportedly described this period as “the finest hour,” of the state. He added, “I believe in what Ochendo is doing. He is not doing most of them for now but for the future. They are what could pass as foundational projects. I commend him for what he has been able to do so far.”

    The governor, in his fraternal message at the current anniversary also emphasised what he set out to achieve and what the anniversary meant to him and to the state. As he puts it: “This year’s Abia Day Celebration is particularly unique in the sense that it will herald the last I will celebrate with Abians in my capacity as their gubernatorial steward. It hurts to say goodbye, but the expediency of exiting when the ovation is loudest cannot be over- emphasised. The inauguration of any endeavour is as vital as its closing activities.

    “Today in retrospect evidently brings to life how I was made a trusted instrument to fearlessly drive the much -expected new dawn in Abia, which was desirous of prosperity and a new lease of life.

    “The responsibility was enormous with the capacity to make one’s mind skip a bit, especially in the reconciliatory reality of gaping infrastructural decay and political confinement, which had been the pathetic lot of Abia since creation. Application of the much expected template however ushered the needed new horizon.”

    Political horizon

    Besides physical infrastructure which many agree is primary in the running of the state and for future economic boost, the search for a better Abia has been articulated mostly in the area of politics. Many observers have contended that the political fortunes of Abia since its creation has remained a shame, largely. It has been a long tale of rivalries, quarrels and political intrigues that left the state and her people politically raped in the open gallery.

    Hon. Mao Ohuabunwa, a former member of House of Representatives and one of the key players of Abia politics since 1999, captured this development in an interview he granted some editors as part of the preparations for the anniversary. As he puts it: “Immediately we came in, less than a year, the former governor had a problem with the deputy governor. The polity was heated up and from that time, things no longer got better. In 2001, there were serious problems too. Then, we had the Abuja Group with Chief Ojo Maduekwe, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, etc leading the bloc. There was Lagos Group, Taliban Group, Home-based Group, name it. There was serious factionalisation and that posed danger to the polity and governance. But today, we no longer hear of Abuja, Taliban, Lagos, Home, Mao Ohuabunwa or Chief Onyema Ugochukwu Group. Today, it’s one group, all running around the governor.”

    Given this achievement ahead 2015 general elections, most Abians who spoke to The Nation in Umuahia during the week expressed hope that Orji will employ the same strategy he used in uniting the once warring political foes in Abia to overcome the current debate over power shift.

    Already, chants of political battle can be heard loud and clear. So, concerned observers are asking: “Who would be the next governor of Abia State? Who will Ochendo back? How will the current debate between sons and daughters of Ngwa extraction in the Central and South, over zoning of the office of governor, be resolved? Are the other stakeholders in the North, especially Isuikwuato, Item, Nkporo, Alayi, Abiriba, Uzuakoli, Nkpa, Ugwueke and so on, also being carried along adequately to ensure peace, cooperation and a sense of belonging?

    As Orji prepares to leave office next year, concerned observers are saying he should personally ensure such pertinent questions are resolved while he is still on seat ahead 2015.

    This is so because it seems widely acknowledged today that part of what has been the challenge in Abia politics is application of wrong strategies and or philosophies by some of the past leaders, especially what an analyst summed up as “divisive strategy.”

    So, if today, the application of new templates, as governor Orji said, is changing the face and fortunes of Abia state, there are genuine calls for him to apply more of such strategies before 2015.

    As Prof. Obasi Igwe, the Guest Lecturer at 23rd Anniversary of Abia pointed out in his paper entitled, “Contemporary Development Strategy in Nigeria: The Abia State Perspective,” “Strategy conceived in terms of means and methods is both unnecessary and redundant without a socioeconomic and political vision, guided by an emotional love for your people, total awareness of their historical and objective conditions, and a patriotic zeal to become a significant factor in addressing them.”

    It would appear this is what was missing in Abia political strategy before the current efforts of Orji’s administration. Igwe also made this point when he said “Abia is at a crossroads. A lot needed to be done that was not done since its creation 23 years ago in 1991, until a few years back when Chief T. A. Orji, touched by utter neglect by those earlier trusted to assume their responsibilities, and with almost nothing in the coffers, started amidst divers additional challenges imposed on him, to do something to actually inaugurate the process of building up Abia State.”

    From all indications, it is evident that this is just the beginning of the journey for Abia greatness.

  • Ndigbo should remain where they are and defend themselves –Orji

    Ndigbo should remain where they are and defend themselves –Orji

    Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji is the governor of Abia State as well as the chairman, South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF). He is passionate about moving Abia from her inglorious past to a new era of freedom, growth and development. In this chat with Steve Osuji, member, Editorial Board, he admonishes Ndigbo to ignore the call for them to return en masse to the South- East among other issues in the news. Excerpts: 

    What precisely is your government doing about the Ebola Virus Disease?

    In order to ensure that the disease does not come to our state, the first thing we have done is to form committees: Rapid Response Committee – a mother committee and a subcommittee. The first includes all the people that are supposed to be there: commissioner for health, laboratory technologists, chief medical director of the diagnostic centre of our university teaching hospital and the likes. That committee has the responsibility of making people to be aware of Ebola because many don’t know about it yet; the causes and the prevention and to sensitise people to what Ebola is all about.

    Also, the commissioner has put in place designated isolation centres where you have to quarantine those who might have been infected with the disease. We have a centre in Agbaja and another in Nkwoba. Then, the commissioner himself went to Lagos to buy the protective wears. Other things that we have done are the local government chairmen working in line with our awareness programme because that is the area that touches the grassroots. So, sensitisation is very essential in making people to be aware; that people who have signs, this is where you have to report to. You know doctors are on strike, but in our special diagnostic centres, doctors are there working because of this disease. But all the same, we don’t have anybody reporting Ebola case. Except that woman who went to Deeper Life camp.  She came back to her village and people started spreading rumours that she had Ebola. But doctors went there, examined her and found that she didn’t have Ebola. Despite that, we took her blood sample back to Lagos for analysis, and the result was negative. The woman is now being treated for drug reaction in our hospital. We don’t have any case of Ebola in Abia.

    Is there a concerted effort by South- East governments against the EVD?

    No, we have not held any meeting to that effect. But when next we meet we are going to discuss it. As of now, the governors are making their own individual efforts in their different states. The states are essential and every governor is proactive in handling the Ebola case; we don’t need to discuss it globally on the South- East platform. But we will talk about it in our next meeting to see the assistance we can offer in general terms, but as of now, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia governors, on their own, are doing their best.

    MASSOB leader, Chief Uwazurike has been calling on Ndigbo in the north to return home to the east. As Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum (SEGF) what is the South – East consensus on this matter?

    We have discussed this thing at the meeting. You see, our concern, first and foremost, is for the lives of our people to be safe.  You know our people travel a lot to pursue their businesses, since especially we are traders, so we move everywhere. So, our concern is that Ndigbo should live in peace with their host communities, whether it is in the south, north or west.  But right now, our concern is the north where they are being killed. As long as they are there living in peace, we don’t want them to be killed because we are not killing the visitors in our midst here; we are appealing to our other brothers in the north to stop killing our people who have come to live peacefully with them in the pursuit of their livelihood because the constitution allows that. Therefore, our stand is not for Ndigbo to come back en masse, but to remain there and to protect themselves by any means possible.  Because this is Nigeria, owned corporately by all of us; you can’t drive anybody away. So, we urge our people to remain where they are, do their businesses peacefully and protect themselves; because if you allow all Igbos to come home, where are they going to begin? These are people who have added value to wherever they have been. These are people who have hotels, houses and industries where they have been living from generation to generation. Once they are not causing trouble in your community, allow them to stay; that’s our stand.

    We hear about the Abia Charter of Equity. What exactly is this?

    The Abia Charter of Equity, like the name says, prescribes the way to live here peacefully in Abia. If you come to Abia, we are made up of many ethnic groups, with the Okwa/Ngwa and the Bende being the two major ethnic blocs that occupy Abia State. Since the creation of Abia State, Bende people have had the upper hand in the occupation of the governor’s office and good positions. Even before the creation of Abia State, Bende people have had the upper hand both in the military and the civil service. So, those who created Abia State felt that since Abia is a united entity, they would like Abia to continue being united by giving chance to every group to participate in governance and every other thing. Like in the production of the governor, if Bende has produced the governor now, the office should move to Okwa/Ngwa for equity and fairness, and that’s exactly what we want in Nigeria.  We don’t want any group to be marginalised, and that’s what the party, the PDP, I belong to believes in and insist on. So, for fairness and equity, we are saying for this election, people are free, but these people should be considered, so that they will participate in governance.

    We normally hear out-going incumbents say they don’t know their successor but they know those who will not succeed them. Is it the same with you?

    Yes, of course, you don’t know who will succeed you but you know those who will not succeed you. But I know every governor, at least, must have somebody in mind whom you believe, ‘if this person succeeds me, he can perform better than myself, he can carry the state to the next level’, because that’s what every governor wants. Because if you don’t do that, people will turn back to blame you to say that you purposely supported someone who will not bring development to take over and who will subjugate the people. Every governor has that in mind, but the difficulty is to get such an ideal successor. So, you have to pray to God to give you the man who will actually develop the state. As far as I’m concerned in Abia State, we are not imposing any person; the party will not impose any person on the people. PDP has a system of picking somebody, and if that person passes through the system and succeeds, he would be supported to do his best. When I leave here, it’s not my intention at all to come back and lord it over the person who will succeed me; I will not do that.

    You have accomplished many big budget projects, what we normally refer to as legacy projects. Tell us about one or two you are most passionate about?

    I am passionate about all of them. If I wasn’t passionate about all of them, I won’t embark on them. Are you talking of the International Conference Centre? Are you talking about the Secretariat? Or the secretariat for the traditional rulers that you saw? Are you talking about the e-library? Or the offices we have built in the different ministries? I’m passionate about all of them. I’m always urging myself on and praying to God to provide all the resources I need to complete them all. Is it the Government House which we have not had, that we want to have now? These are projects which are dear to my heart and to the hearts of Abia people.

    How would you like Abians to remember you after your tenure?

    I would like Abians to remember me as the governor who brought unity and peace in Abia. Because, before I came on board, Abia was polarised. You had Abuja politicians, you had Lagos politicians; you had different names ascribed to different people, Talibans and all. So, we were just like that. Since I came in, I have been able to unite Abians into one political family and we are working in cooperation. So, Abians will remember me for that. So, one other thing Abians will remember me for is a governor who put up a dogged fight against kidnapping and insecurity in the stat. Abians will also remember me as a man who has put on ground legacy projects; projects that are fundamental to the development of Abia State. And most especially, the Abia youths will remember me as a governor who came and had compassion on them and tried all he could to remove them from poverty.

    Abia is supposedly an oil-producing state but this does not seem to reflect on the size of her federal allocation?

    It depends on our production.  You cannot compare us with Rivers State or Akwa Ibom. Our production is very minimal, very small. Since it’s small, that’s also what you get, but people don’t know about that. The oil revenue is calculated based on what you produce. And there was a time we suffered a lot here through breaking of pipe lines and spilling the oil, so it was reflected in the calculation against Abia, so our percentage fell. So, once our percentage went down, so will what we get from the 13% derivation fall.

    In your view, were Ndigbo properly represented in the just concluded National Conference?

    Yes, I’m satisfied. But from all indications, the world is insatiable; you cannot satisfy everyone. But from the sample of opinion that we have, the delegates did very well, especially in terms of creation of states. So, the delegates did very well for Ndigbo.

    Ndigbo have been upfront in urging President Jonathan to contest for a second term in office. Are they not being too hasty?

    You see, it’s important to us for the fact that what we, Ndigbo, have seen in the president. What he will do for the Igbo, it’s all about politics. You will want to vote for a person who will remember you when he gets into power, not somebody who will cast you away. This is a man we have confidence in. If he goes for the second tenure, he will do better and better for Igbo people. In governance, it’s very difficult to accomplish all your tasks within four years; four years is too small. Now, a president has come and has done well and is doing well for the Ndigbo within these four years. We also know that if he’s given another four years he’s going to do more for us. So, it’s better to go with the man whom you have tried, who has at least said, ‘Igbo, have this, let me give you a sense of belonging; you are a part and parcel of Nigeria’. So, the more support you give him, the more you get from him. That’s why the Igbo feel we must support President Goodluck Jonathan.

    When will it be the turn of Ndigbo to produce a president in Nigeria?

    Well, let Jonathan finish first. Then we will start talking about that. We will produce the president one day. We must; because the thing is going round. It must come to South – East some day. As of now, 2015, Jonathan should complete his tenure. After that, we will start talking about the turn of Ndigbo.

  • Orji praises NCC’s role in telecom

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has praised the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) for doing a good job in regulating the activities of service providers in the country which has brought sanity in the industry.

    Speaking in Umuahia, when he received the chairman of Board of the NCC Engr. Peter Igho and his team at the Government house, Orji described communication as very essential arm of development in any society.

    Orji said that his administration is addressing some of the problems confronting the operations of the NCC including the issue of multiple taxation and right of way, adding that the state government has made relevant legislation as it concerns telecommunications operation in the state.

    The governor said his administration is poised to make the environment conducive for NCC and the service providers to operate and pledged to partner with the commission to continue in its sanitization programme in the industry.

    He implored the commission to provide more facilities to educational institutions in the state as a way of assisting the state government, adding that state government alone cannot carry the burden of financing the educational institutions in the state.

    Earlier in his speech, Mr. Igho explained that telecommunications contributes to 8.5 % of the nations GDP and has transformed the way of doing things in the country and made public that his commission is making effort to improve the quality of service to Nigerians.

    Mr. Igho said that Nigeria has 129 million active subscribers while over 50 million Nigerians have access to the internet, adding that the tele-density is 92% and still increasing almost on daily basis.

    He however identified multiple-taxation and hindering of the right of way and vandalisation of ICT facilities as some of the factors that militate against improved service, pointing out that the commission is currently pushing for a law to classify telecommunications facilities as critical infrastructure.

    The board chairman disclosed that NCC has given ICT equipment to 38 secondary schools in the state among other items given to tertiary institutions in Abia and appealed to the Governor to partner with his commission to improve the quality of service to the people.

    On the issue of the activities of the service provider, Igho said that NCC is a regulatory body regulating their activities, “So it is our duty to ensure that they give us correct quality services, so far the quality of service is not the best, but we are on it”.

  • 2015: Orji, PDP get support on zoning

    2015: Orji, PDP get support on zoning

    As 2015 elections draw near, the battle over who succeeds Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has become keener.

    However, the Southeast Progressives Assembly (SEPA), a socio-political group, has declared its support for the decision of Abia State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chapter and Governor Theodore Orji in zoning the 2015 governorship to Abia South Senatorial zone.

    In a statement made available to reporters, President of the group, Hon. Ebere Uzoukwa, commended what he described as the ‘statesmanship position of the PDP and its stakeholders as well as Governor Orji to embrace equity, justice and fairness to ensure that Abia South produces the next governor of the state in 2015.

    The statement reads: “As a socio-political group entrenched to promote justice, equity and justice as well as to promote and mobilise for good governance in the Southeast, SEPA, having closely monitored political developments in Abia State as regards power sharing and rotation, praises the PDP and Governor Theodore Orji for zoning the governorship position to Abia South.

    “Recall that in 1999, Chief (Dr.) Orji Uzor Kalu from Bende Local Government Area had an interrupted eight years for Abia North. Thereafter, power was moved to Abia Central with the incumbent governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji from Umuahia elected into office as governor in 2007.

    “In 2015 when Governor Orji would have completed eight years for Abia Central, morality, equity, justice and fairness demand that the next governor should emerge from Abia South. It is in view of this that SEPA supports the decision of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) and Governor Orji for having regard for equity, justice and fairness to ensure that Abia South produces the next governor in 2015.”

    Uzoukwa, who was formerly a member of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s media aides, in the statement also enjoined the people of Ukwa-Ngwa to close ranks and seize the opportunity to ensure that only a credible person with outstanding track record emerges PDP candidate in order to sustain the legacies of Governor Orji when elected as governor of the state.

    “SEPA also wishes to enjoin other Ngwa local government areas in Abia Central to jettison their personal interests and support their brothers and sisters in Abia South to ensure that a credible person emerges from that zone. Their continued agitation amounts to selfishness and greed which definitely do not relate with the collective and over-riding interest of the people of Ukwa-Ngwa.

    “On the other hand, the people of Ukwa-Ngwa should avoid politicians who are power-drunk and who have not impacted positively on the lives of their people. Some of them have been in power from 2003 and 2007, contributing nothing tangible to the socio- economic development of Ukwa-Ngwa land. They have equally detached themselves completely from the people and owners of the mandate by doing only their biding and that of their family members.

    “They are those desperately eyeing the governorship seat of the God’s Own State. Without mincing words, this development is unacceptable to us and the people of Ukwa-Ngwa.

    “We hereby advise the people of Ukwa-Ngwa and people of Abia State to rise against this category of politicians and support only credible person with outstanding achievements as well as the capacity to sustain the legacies of Governor Orji.

  • No virus case in Abia, says Orji

    No virus case in Abia, says Orji

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has dispelled the rumour that the dreaded Ebola virus has entered the state.

    The governor said there was no case of the virus in any part of the state.

    Speaking with The Nation, in Umuahia, the state capital, Orji decried the rumour some people were spreading in the media on the disease.

    The governor urged people to allow his administration to do its work instead of creating panic.

    Orji said the government had taken precautionary measures to ensure that the virus does not enter the state.

    The governor said a committee on the virus had been set up, adding that the members were sensitising the people on how to prevent infection.

    He said: “The committee was set up to chase Ebola virus away from the state, instead of the virus chasing us in the state. We have ordered for all the necessary equipment to fight the virus. The Health Commissioner purchased the equipment.”

    Orji said his administration was ready to tackle the challenge of the virus.

    He said: “Just like we did against kidnapping, I want to thank the doctors for their sensitisation on how to avoid contracting the virus.

    “We must be ready to face it when the need arises. For now, it is not yet here.

    “I am speaking as the governor. After consulting with experts in the medical field, there is no Ebola in any part of Abia.”

  • Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

    Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

    The wife of Abia State governor, Lady Mercy Orji, has empowered about 3000 indigent people through her pet project, HannahMay Foundation.

    The effort received commendations from the state government, saying  that  the collaborative  initiative of the foundation has created wealth, employment  and  has sustained security  in the state. The indigent people are, therefore, in a better position to contribute to the economic well-being of the state.

    Speaking at the foundation’s recent distribution of empowerment items, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, praised the foundation for its partnering with  his administration to help the needy, thereby helping the reduce the work load on him.

    Orji, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Mkpa Agu Mkpa, noted that the empowerment programme will be handing out various items to over 3000 Abia men, women, youths and the physically challenged selected from the 17 local government councils of the state is one of the legacy projects of his government.

    The governor said that the foundation has through its activities brought succour to families and reduced  crime in the state.

    He, therefore, called on public spirited individuals and organisations as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO) to use their wealth to positively touch the lives of the downtrodden t as the  HannahMay Foundation was doing.

    In her address of welcome, Mrs. Orji said that through the humanitarian strides of the foundation, HannahMay has been able to save lives, rescued women who would have been involved in human trafficking.

    Mrs Orji also said that her foundation has served mankind in epidemic and other humanitarian endeavours,stating that the its vision and mission was to show love by making life meaningful.

    She said that her aim is to reduce the burden of indigent persons, widows, widowers, motherless babies, Network of People living with HIV/AIDS [NEPHWAN] and prison inmates  in the state as part of her good governance complementing role.

    The wife of the governor, however, appealed to the beneficiaries to make effective use of the items to assist government tackle crime and unemployment, create wealth through stimulating economic activities in the state.

    She praised  the  governor for creating a favourable environment for the foundation to carry out its humanitarian programmes.

    Mrs Orji used the opportunity to appeal to well-to-do individuals  to assist and support the humanitarian efforts of the foundation in touching the lives of the downtrodden in the society.

    One of the beneficiaries who gave her name simply as Ijeoma, was full of gratitude to  Mrs Orji for her care and love forthe less privileged in the state and pray that God would continue to bless and protect her.

    Some of the items distributed include 1000 sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dressing equipments, barbing kits, vulcanizing machines, computer and its accessories among others.