ABIA GOVT TO DISBURSE N1BN LOANS TO FARMERS

BY ANAYO OKOLI

UMUAHIA — ABIA  State government would soon begin disbursement of N1 billion agricultural loan secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to farmers in the state.

 Governor Theodore Orji announced this during the launching of the 2012 cropping season in Bende Local Government Council weekend. Orji explained that the government had paid its counterpart funds for the FADAMA III, IFAD– NDDC–FGN– community-based natural resources management project and agricultural development programme.

Represented by his deputy, Chief Emeka Ananaba, Orji disclosed that the 55 tractors recently procured by the government to be sold to farmers at subsidized price, were part of government’s efforts to assist the state in the attainment of rapid economic and rural transformation through the promotion of agriculture.

The governor stated that government had resolved to undertake within this cropping season, programmes and activities that would not only promote agricultural production, but also create employment and reduce poverty in the state.

 SOURCE: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/abia-govt-to-disburse-n1bn-loans-to-farmers/

ABIA GOVT TAKES STEPS TO STEM POOR PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Ministry of Education in Abia state has initiated stringent measures to tackle the poor performance of pupils in public primary and secondary schools. 

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Monica Philips, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia on Monday that the government was worried by the phenomenon.

Philips explained that the measure included the demotion of headmasters and principals whose schools consistently posted poor results in final examinations.

She further said that stiffer sanctions would be introduced in schools to check truancy and absenteeism by the teachers. "We also made it compulsory that teachers should teach at least five subjects, including English language and mathematics each day,’’ she said.

The commissioner said the measures were part of government’s efforts to bring back sanity to public schools and ensure better performance by the students.

``This administration is determined in its efforts to ensure that sanity returns to our schools. The government will no longer tolerate indiscipline on the part of teachers and students,’’ she said.

She charged the principals, headmasters and headmistresses to ensure the effective monitoring and supervision of their teachers and students.

Philips said the ministry would collaborate with the civil defence corps for the arrest of students in uniform found to be loitering during school hour. She also said the government’s welfare package for teachers included promotion as and when due as well as their training and retraining.

She said the government had commenced the renovation and furnishing of public schools in the state to make them conducive for teaching and learning.

Culled from:  

http://pointblanknews.com/new/news/4136-abia-govt-takes-steps-to-stem-poor-performance-in-public-schools.html

23rd April 2012

 Aides Commend Gov Orji For Completing Power Project

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has been commended for the role he played in ensuring that residents of the state capital enjoyed constant power supply.

Umuahia and its environs had been in darkness following the non-completion of the Ohiya sub-station.

This has been a source of concern to residents, particularly cold room owners, who claim to have lost millions of naira to prolonged power outage in the area.

But following the completion of the sub-station which is now being test-run, residents of the area have been enjoying constant power supply.

Successive administrations had struggled to realise the project, which had been described as a major boost to constant power supply in the state as a result of its strategic location.

Chief Eze Chikamnayo, the Special Adviser on Information and Social Re-orientation to the Abia governor, said that the completion of the power station was a result of the governor’s intervention.

Orji had on March 31 while inaugurating some projects in Umuahia assured the people that power supply in the state capital and its environs would be boosted soon. The governor had said that the Ohiya sub-station was at the last lap of completion and would be commissioned at a later date. 

“The intervention of the governor that resulted to the timely completion of this project is a clear indication that he wants to give the best to the people,” Chikamnayo said. He said the state government was determined to enhance the welfare of the residents of the state through infrastructural development.

The former commissioner for information said that projects started by the current administration would be completed on schedule. Chikamnayo said the Ubani Ibeku modern market, international conference centre, new state secretariat complex and sundry road projects in the state were clear testimony of the governor’s vision. “The government will not be distracted as it is poised to leaving enduring legacies in line with globally accepted democratic principles,” Chikamnayo said.

'GOV ORJI IS FATHER OF MODERN ABIA'

Interview with 

Hon (Dr.) Eze Chikamnayo

By

 Anayo Okoli

DR Eze Chikamnayo is the  Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Information, Strategy and Civic Orientation and presently a nominee to the Abia State Executive Council. In this interview he speaks on the governor’s major achievements and projects the government is currently handling. Excerpts:

THE opposition has criticised the administration of Governor Theodore Orji claiming he has performed below average. What is your take on this?

Governor T.A.Orji has surpassed all expectations. In the last 10 months, he has proved that his promise of leaving visible legacy for Abians at the end of his tenure is not just a mere promise but one that is backed with action. The major plank of his second term is the total transformation of Abia in the areas of infrastructure development, economy, politics, the way politics is being played, what I call the transformation of the political culture of Abia State and even in  civic orientation of the people. So he has taken a holistic approach to the plank of transformation. It is not a one-sided approach.

I will give you some examples. In just 11 months, he has proved that Abia was truly under bondage for the period he endured a devilish despot. Between 1999 and 2007, Abia State was under siege.  Especially between 1999 and 2008, while other governors in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos and most of our neighbours, were busy seeing vision, putting up master plans, laying solid foundation, Abia State was unfortunate to have been saddled with a self-centred and insatiable governor, who did not work for the state but for himself and his family. This was the unfortunate scenario that T. A. Orji found himself.

Politically, he inherited a highly polarized and volatile state where there was a group of those who said they were home based politicians and tagged others Talibans or Abuja based politicians. Abia was hot politically, volatile, explosive. The best brains, the elites, the technocrats, all went into exile as a result of the very oppressive intolerant atmosphere that was created politically by the former governor.

How has the governor been able to address the issue of kidnapping in the state?

We had kidnappers, coming from the neigbbouring states where militancy had become a way of life. You had all sorts of brigands taking one name or the other. It was the kind of atmosphere that T. A. Orji inherited when the man in Rivers inherited power plant, the man in Akwa Ibom inherited a thorough master plan and one of the best drainage system in the world, the man in Cross River was inheriting Obudu Ranch and Tinapa, the man in Lagos inherited a well-thought-out new Lagos master plan and several other projects that were on-going. Our governor inherited crisis in all ramification, crisis at all fronts, he inherited political enemies.

So with this type of environment, little or nothing will happen in terms of development. Beyond these issues of insecurity of lives and property was a more pernicious and vicious cankerworm called mamacracy, which was the desire of the former governor and his mother to turn Abia State into a fiefdom, a dynasty, a personal property, as against the principles of democracy.

Immediately, the security problem was tackled, Governor  Orji moved to the next level with the provision of infrastructure. In Abia today, Governor T. A. Orji is leaving a legacy of over 100 outstanding edifices, structures, covering every arm of government and all sectors.

This includes two world class new secretariats going on at the same time. This is the fastest project in the history of Abia State if not in Nigeria. In less than seven months, this twin secretariat, brand new, first of its kind, is now at the roofing stage and will soon be commissioned.

The former did not leave in the landscape of Umuahia any two-storey building. And I can now show you more than 50 solid edifices that have changed the silhouette of the landscape of Umuahia.

Culled from: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/gov-orji-is-father-of-modern-abia/  of 20th April, 2012.

WANTED!!!

APGA CANDIDATE REAGAN UFOMBA 

ON THE RUN 

Culled from: http://thejuristlaws.blogspot.com/2012/04/apga-candidate-regan-ufomba-on-run.html?spref=fb

Nemesis seems to be catching up with Reagan Ufomba APGA candidate in Abia State in the 2011 governorship polls.

The Juristlaws learnt that Ufomba who lost at the last election is on the run as those he borrowed money to prosecute his ambition is now on his neck. Ufomba who abandoned his priesthood at a catholic seminary in the early stages of his life having impregnated the daughter of a well-known socialite in Ngwa, has left his house in Aba to an undisclosed location.

Our sources said that those who gave him the money running into billions did that believing that he will win the election.

Having failed, he assured them that he will get victory in the court, that has failed too as the supreme court recently ruled that he never won the Abia guber polls 2011.

It was learnt that Ufomba who relied on former governor of Abia State Orji Uzor Kalu, is highly disappointed as the former governor  who made his paper available for campaigns for him, has shut him out. In fact the last time he went on his knees to beg Kalu to save him, the Igbere born publisher was said to have told his guards to send him away.  Kalu, our source hinted said that he can help Reagan by giving him space in the sun newspaper to attack T. A. Orji.

As it is right now, Ufomba has gone into hiding as he cannot pay the N10 billion he borrowed.

Reagan it was gathered is not happy with Kalu whom he worked for as a Special Assistant, as he has threatened to open a can of worms on the former governor soon to pay him back.

The police and SSS, it was learnt are trailing Ufomba where security sources said he may have relocated to.

This news site will update you on the Reagan Ufomba of APGA show of shame.

GIVING ABIA A FACE-LIFT THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE

Culled from: ThisDayLive.com of 04 Apr 2012

 http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/giving-abia-a-face-lift-through-infrastructure/112972/

Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, is repositioning the state for sustainable development through multi-sectoral and comprehensive strategy that will not only enhance the human capital development, but also touch all facets of the state’s economy. In line with his transformation agenda, the governor last week inaugurated some completed projects in Aba and Umuahia with fanfare. Charles Ajunwa writes:

Apparently spurred by recent allegations from the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that nothing is happening in Aba and by extension the entire state in terms of infrastructural development, Governor Theodore Orji, last week, moved in like a wounded lion to expose the lies in APGA’s attack against his government. Though the governor had in the past inaugurated various projects, he used the inauguration of the new projects in Aba and Umuahia last week, to test his government’s popularity and acceptability. With the warm reception accorded the governor and his entourage from communities where projects were unveiled, an elated Orji proudly declared at the end of the day that “I am in charge.”

Orji administration’s success no doubt has been made possible through the level of support he enjoyed from the 11 members of the National Assembly, 24 members of the State House of Assembly, 17 transition chairmen of local governments, the commissioners, the political leaders and the ordinary people in the state. In Aba, the governor unveiled the newly completed Ukwu-Mango-Ariaria Road, Dan Fodio/East Roads, Old Express/Samek Road and a pedestrian bridge at Abia State Polytechnic. While in Umuahia, the governor inaugurated the newly completed Nkata-Alaike-Umukabia Road and the Iyienyi-Okwoyi Road, all in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

During the inauguration of the two projects in Aba and Umuahia last week, all the prominent Abia sons and daughters, school children, traders and the youths lined up the major roads singing praises of Orji for the good work he is doing in the state. Those present at the two inauguration include the governors wife, Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji, Abia State Deputy Governor, Chief Emeka Ananaba and his wife, Mrs. Nene Ananaba, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu, former deputy governor of Abia State, Chief Acho Nwakama, Minister for Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ikechi Ogbuagu, Chief Bob Ogbuagu and Chief Tony Ukasanya.

Others are former chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Orji’s closet rival in the 2007 governorship election, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, South-east National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Austin Akobundu, Chief Henry Ikoh, Chairman of Abia State PDP, Senator Emma Nwaka, Chief Uzodinma Okpara, Chief Mao Ohuabunwa, Prince Sonny Aku, President General of Ohuhu     Welfare Union, Mr. Ejikeme Ikwunze and many others.

After thanking the Aba residents for the warm reception they gave him, Orji said the Ukwu-Mango Ariaria Road was impassable for more than 20 years due to neglect by past governments in the state thereby leaving the major road linking Ariaria International Market to be left with only mountains of refuse and deep water where people even carried out fishing activities.

The governor who said he did the road because of the love he has for the people of Aba, noted that his government is not a government of deceit. “All the work we are doing in Aba, we will finish and the people are solidly behind us. We are not here to deceive you; we have come to work. When kidnappers came people ran away from Aba. Having restored order in the commercial city, people who ran away because of kidnappers have all returned to Aba to continue with their businesses.”

During the inauguration of the pedestrian bridge at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Orji said the news of students being killed by fast moving vehicles on the road that crosses the institution forced his government to build the pedestrian crossing. The governor, who said that four students of the institution lost their lives on the road last year, noted that with the new pedestrian bridge, all the students of the Abia Student Polytechnic are well protected and secured.   He said instead of increasing school fees, he decided to reduce school fees, noting that the reduction is for every student irrespective of state of origin. He therefore implored the students to take their studies seriously.

The management and students of the Abia State Polytechnic, poured encomiums Orji for his sensitivity to the needs of the institution and prayed God to guide and protect him and members of his family including members of his cabinet. As a mark of appreciation, the students of the polytechnic gave a chieftaincy title to the governor to show love to him. While unveiling the Dan Fodio/East roads and Old Express/Samek Road in Aba, Governor Orji said: “We will continue to do everything that it takes to ensure the development of this city, and its full restoration to the glory of all Abians and all men of good will.”

At the inauguration of Iyienyi-Okwoyi road in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Governor said that he was particularly excited to commission the road, which he noted had remained impassable especially during rainy season. He said the roadwork when completed would link up major communities such as Ozu Item, Uzuakoli and Igbere that are under Abia State. Orji who asked the people of Iyienyi-Okwoyi to continue to live in peace, said that God helped him to do the road warning that nobody should dump refuse into the drainage system.

“What we are doing today is a thing of joy. Ochendo is responsible for today’s joy in the land. We will continue to do good works for the state. The people complained to me severally and God provided the money to do the work. The people should live in peace. Abia State is now free from Pharaoh and we will never go back to Egypt again,” Orji noted. At the inauguration of the Nkata Alaike-Umukabia road, which took place at the playground of Umukabia Okpuala Central School, the community in the thousands trooped to welcome Orji and large entourage.  Orji who thanked the contractor, A Vision, for constructing a stoned-based road said that his government would stop at nothing in doing good thing.

“We are here to do good thing.  We want to make impact on the lives of the people, give them a permanent thing they will forever remember my administration for. If there is peace, there will be progress and when we dialogue things move forward,” Orji said. The Labour and Productivity Minister, Emeka Wogu, during a banquet organised at the Government House implored Abians to continue to support Orji’s government, noting that he is a blessing to the state. “Your support will bring more love, joy and development to Abia State,” he said, adding that “for me the day is the day God has made and we must be happy and be joyful. What we have today is very spiritual; we have come to repossess our possession because of our bad experience. Opposition will always talk but we should face our business and work for the people. From the mobilisation of women we saw today, God should give you the resources to complete the landmark projects in Abia State,” Wogu said.

The minister said that it took Governor Orji’s courage, determination to right the wrongs of the past as pensioners are no longer dying on queues in Abia State noting that the First Family of Abia State needs the prayers of everybody. “We are now liberated, we are now having peace in Abia. The problem is not what happened in Aba, but we what we failed to do. Ohanku road was impassable but now I can go to my house,” Wogu said.

The minister who recalled how he abandoned one of his properties at Ukwu-Mango, said with the new road now, he has been able to access the property. “Ochendo is leaving a legacy in Abia State, he is of good humility and it’s our duty to tell the world what his government is doing. We have a good work and we have to celebrate him,” Wogu declared.

Orji who said that “Governance is not easy” announced that since he came on board he has never taken any loan and bonds from the capital market to execute the massive projects littered all over the state.  He said that prudent management of resources from the monthly N3.5 billion allocation, which the new minimum wage alone takes N2.5 billion remaining N1 billion, and from N222 million Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), he is able to execute projects in the state. According to him, the counterpart funding from the Federal Government also helps in the execution of projects in Abia State.

“Since I came on board I have never taken any loan from the bank neither have I taken any bond from the capital market. Before our salary wage bill was N1.4, N1.5 billion before the N18, 000 minimum wage and today I am paying N20, 100. I am yet to see if there is any other state that pays higher than Abia. This has brought our salary wage bill to N2.5 billion out of an allocation of may be N3.5. When you remove N2.5 billion from N3.5 what remains for me is N1 billion. My Internally Generated Revenue is N222 million that is what I get from my consultants.

“So when you add and compare it with what we are doing you will now assess whether Abia is doing well or not. You can never compare Abia State with Akwa Ibom State neither can you compare us with Rivers State, Bayelsa State or Delta State. Never! There is no basis for comparison because if you see their allocation chart you know why some of them are able to build airports. Unfortunately, when our people see some of these things they will come back and say nothing is happening here. You cut your coat according to your size. I cannot bring Julius Berger here because I cannot pay them. But I can pay our own indigenous contractors who are doing very well and they are the people we are using and they are happy about it,” Orji noted.

WHY ALL THE COMPLAINTS?

Once upon a time, the scriptures tells us that the people of Israel were in captivity for 430 years and God sent a man called Moses to bring them out and to the promised land - Exodus 3: 7-9.

I have observed and read the several untrue accounts been ciruclated by enemies of progress and opponents of the current government of Abia state and would like to lend my voice to correct some of the misinformation peddled as untruths in the public domain. I must clarify that I am not a praise singer but would not sit idly by and watch the trend of events.

It is a known fact that in the last dispensation, Abians were silent and did not participate in the running of affairs of the state. The elite, middle and low class were afraid to demand their rights. Well meaning citizens hurriedly evacuated the state for fear of the ruling government.  I wonder where all the critics and loud talkers were then? Today, we have a listening government in power and the opposition and their agents are doing their best to blame the Governor for any mishap that occurs in the state.

I live in Umuahia and have seen firsthand the various developmental projects been undertaken by the state government. There are also several schemes been established to provide jobs for unemployed abians. I just saw a website where lots of ongoing and completed projects are displayed for the public to see: www.abiatoday.blogspot.com and it is obvious that the government is working. You can visit it to see for yourself.

THE ISSUE OF ABA:

The state of affairs in Aba did not start today but has existed over the years and deteriorated in the last decade. Any right thinking individual would not expect that everything would turn around overnight. The government has already commenced the implementation of its master plan for development in Aba. At least, today Aba is different from the way it was in the last decade.  Remember, Rome was not built in a day.

 
If you follow the scriptures, some years after their departure from the land of captivity enroute the promised land, the children of Israel began to complain, murmur and grumble prefering to return to captivity than pass through seeming 'inconveniences' for a little while. May Abians not exhibit the same character but remain positive, supportive while proferring solutions and suggestions that would help the government.

Charles Ejike Nwankwo
Business Development Consultant/ Strategist
charlesnwa2000@yahoo.com

Abia’s Investment Policy Will Provide Entry And Exit Plans For Investors'

Sampson Orji is Abia State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. He spoke on completed and on going projects in the state after the state Governor, Theodore Orji commissioned some completed road projects in Umuahia, the state capital, recently.  Orji challenged critics of the governor to visit Abia and see things for themselves rather than engage in unconstructive criticisms.

What’s your quarrel with Governor Orji’s critics?
When a critic is constructive and persuasive with superior argument, I will be inclined to think along with him. But what some popular tabloids and columnists seem to celebrate these days is the corrosive, poorly investigated line of journalism that evades the cardinal principles of what, where, when and how while not situating the points of discourse in their proper perspectives. I feel irresistibly drawn to make a comparison between positive and negative criticisms, when ‘critics’ of Governor T.A. Orji in their lopsided analysis not backed by facts expose the Areal objectives of the sponsors of such criticisms.

On the other hand many reporters and media chiefs who have had the opportunity to visit Abia State to see for themselves what the governor has done in the last 12 months, can attest to the proactive moves of the state government in terms of infrastructure and structural development of a state that had hitherto not witnessed any meaningful development since inception. The areas of emphasis extend to road construction in the rural areas where the farm gate culture is a way of life for the people, a huge infrastructure reclamation of the commercial city of Aba and of course re-designing Umuahia, the state capital, to wear the face of a modern state capital. The list of work in progress is simply impressive and only a discerning and willing observer can patiently take stock of this developmental pace.

The governor recently asked his aides to report the truth not falsehood; why?
His Excellency Governor T.A. Orji could not have asked his aides to report falsehood. He was only making obvious what ought to be seen as the issues on ground. He has concrete achievements to showcase to everyone and these rattle those who believe the governance of the state can be assessed by pandering to falsehood in the public space. The truth is that for every claim made by the state government, the facts are verifiable and since most of the completed and on-going projects are on ground, no previous administration can lay claim to have initiated or completed any. What I am saying in effect is that the governor was right in asking his commissioners, and advisers and all key personnel of his government to report the facts at all times since facts are sacred and verifiable before the public space.

Aba needs a special attention, what is the programme of the state government for the Enyimba city?
The state government has placed great emphasis on road construction and only last week, His Excellency commissioned the completion of crucial road networks that had long been an eyesore to the residents and traders.

The emphasis is to give the people an infrastructure network that can help them in their commercial activities that stretch to the sub-region of West Africa. The essential road networks long identified by government include those connected to neighbouring states such as Rivers and Akwa Ibom, who make use of them to do business in the state. With this in mind the focus extended to the Aba/Owerri Road all the way to Osisioma Junction to Motor Park and down to the Asa–Port Harcourt Road, terminating at the Ala –Oji Express Road. The works ministry in conjunction with the contractors on ground worked on the Bata Opobo Junction from the Bata–Ikot Epkene road junction and now to Ukwu Mango, commissioned by the governor two Fridays ago.

There is no doubt that the Aba resident and businessman today can attest to noticeable changes in a once squalid environment whose key roads were simply impassable. The work still on ground is enormous after years of poor development and decadence. Beyond the reconstruction work going on, these streets and roads call for constant maintenance and this philosophy has helped in the reclamation of Osusu Road. This extends to the Okigwe Road by Ariaria Market as well as the dual expressway from Omme Junction down to John Udeagbala Junction, which is a five kilometre stretch situated along the Port Harcourt–Aba Road. The Eziukwu Road has also been overlaid with asphalt, and the same is true of the Aba-Agbama Road, among many others.

Aba’s drainage system has long been a source of concern to the extent the Ukwu Mango stretch was covered with garbage and stalls and houses built on it. This is history as Ukwu Mango has been reclaimed just as the need to fix the entire drainage system in Aba is a major challenge, with the construction of the Osisioma Modern Motor Park and asphalt overlay of major roads in Aba.

What problems were on ground when you assumed duty as Commissioner for Commerce and Industry?
One was stifling bureaucracy and lack of vision to drive the industrial and commercial setting of the state, no demographic profile of trades and traders, and a well articulated design for revamping the moribund industries. These industries include among others, the Golden Guinea Breweries, International Glass Industry, Aba, Aba textile Mills, Modern Ceramics-Umuahia, the metallurgical complex, Aba, Abia Hotels, Enyimba Hotels, Aba and many more. If these industrial complexes are revived, they will be able to absorb over 80 per cent of the unemployed people in the state. I inherited all of these and have long given them a prioritised attention.

At the commercial end, there is what we have identified as unwieldy trading activities going on at every nook and corner of Aba, the commercial city of Abia. Such activities turned the city of Aba into one large monolithic market. There was no difference between the residential and trading zones. Then there is the enormous amount of refuse generated and dumped indiscriminately at every turn both in residential and non-residential parts of the city. Naturally, these have affected drainage as the various outlets for such drainages became blocked.  Notwithstanding the Governor’s directive to relocate these traders to designated markets, they were adamant, prompting him to set up the Environmental and Allied Task Force, which is being housed by my ministry.

What is your game plan for resolving these contradictions?
First the basic operation of the task force the Governor inaugurated was primarily to compel compliance to Government directives and instill sanity in the market place. This task force – the Environmental and Allied Task Force – was charged to keep Aba clean and relocate traders to designated markets. We manage the operations of this task force and this has afforded me the opportunity to record a reasonable success so far in terms of sanitising the city. It is painful to government that the obstinacy of the traders will leave it with no option. Even the governor daily laments to us that the operations of the task force must be laced with human face. It is a daily operation and it is not cheap. Except for the governor’s determination, it would have been impossible to sustain the operation beyond one month. So far the exercise itself has opened up new investment opportunities as investors are embarking on construction of new markets.

How do you intend to revive these moribund industries in the state?
First, I’m carrying out a technical evaluation of these moribund industries to enable us approach foreign investors. This evaluation extends to financial audit. The government’s investment policy will provide entry and exit plans for the investors. Yet I must admit we have a handicap here. Let me use Golden Guinea Breweries as an example. Government allocates funds to help maintain the salaries of its skeletal staff as well as keep the plant and its premises in good shape. This allocation remains constant, yet government does not have the latitude to dissolve the board and management because the brewery is a publicly quoted company (Plc). We have approached Budweiser, the Sona Group, Heineken and South Africa Breweries. We cannot just come in to turn around the fortunes of these industries. We cannot just dissolve the board by executive fiat. The situation right now is that we are talking to the management and board to agree with us on the take off plan and we are going to summon an AGM of share holders to fine tune these details.

On the Modern Ceramics, the industry was concessioned to the Catholic Church but unfortunately no major turn around has taken place since the take over deal. We are yet to know what their problems are and why the management has not gone into full production.  But there are very strong plans to revamp all moribund industries in the state.

EXCERPTS OF THE INTERVIEW WITH SAMPSON ORJI, ABIA STATE COMMISSIONER FOR COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY BY ONYEDIKA AGBO OF THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPERS - 14/04/2012

INFRASTRUCTURAL MILESTONES OF GOV. T. A. ORJI AMIDST DIVERSIONARY CRITICS AND HIRELINGS

By Iyke Ogbonnaya
Iyke1999@yahoo.co.uk

I recently took a scheduled official trip to Abuja and during one of the social frenzies, I and my dependable friend of University years anchored at one of the numerous spots in the capital territory to unwind and exchange banters and pleasantries. Scarcely had we settled down to order our delights than my friend fired me a salvo: “what do you make of this allegation that Governor T.A. Orji visits Abuja on a weekly basis and each which gulps a lot of money?” This was among other diatribes authored by one Mr. Okhiria Agbonsuremi, who as it where, operates behind the envelope created by Ray Power 100.5FM Abuja: “Political Platform” to hurl all manners of outrageous vituperations on innocent public office holders like Governor T.A. Orji of Abia State. I acknowledge in totality, the recent position of Ochendo T.A. Orji, during one of his publications, which sought to welcome criticisms and or public perspectives on seeming interactable matters so long as it is done with an air of civility and decorum of conduct. My confirmatory enquires on the existence of the programme and Mr. Okhiria Agbonsuremi's penchant for making Abia his daily subject of discussion, got me livid with anger, having reconciled same with what is presently the situation at home, and the deadly extent some of us in the pen-profession can go in propagating our malicious falsehood.

If the government of Governor T.A. Orji decides to engage Mr. Agbonsuremi in a legal debacle, will he provide evidence to substantiate his wishy-washy claim that the only thing a sitting governor in the capacity of Chief T.A. Orji does is to stroll into Abuja every week, waste money, go back to Abia and wait for another week. Haba!! This is the height of media caricature. The journalism we profess demands that you consult the two sides to an issue before domiciling it in the public knowledge. I can beat my chest to posit without fear of contradiction that Mr. Agbonsuremi has not made any overtures to any of Governor T.A. Orji's aides with a view to clarifying and or denying his fabricated concoctions. To think that Mr. Agbonsuremi has been feeding Abians resident in Abuja with this incredulous hoax makes it more saddening. I have had course to ask: “of what benefit will it be to a man of Edo origin to cause confusion and disaffection in Abia where he has no stake, if not on the simple premise that he is acting an authored script to satisfy some perceived interest who do not want to identify with the new face of Abia State?

Again, I want to acknowledge another intelligent observation of Abia State Governor which was recently made public during one of his media outing: “Some people have eyes, but mischievously choose to remain blind; otherwise, they will admit that our genuine effort at providing the dividends of democracy is yielding fruits, and they will remain blind.” Mr. Agbonsuremi opted for this class of blind and politically maimed folks whose mind-set is programmed to under-mine others. Else he would have struggled to see the now dualized federal Aba –Owerri road having claimed that he visited Abia on official visit and did not see a single construction work going on anywhere.

A black mailing journalist like Agbonsuremi in my candid opinion should not be prominently positioned to ply his trade in a credible medium like Ray Power 100.5fm Abuja to avoid his verbal abuse on peaceful public servants like Governor T.A. Orji who do not curry praises through gratifications. His stout and principled position is that Chief Sam Mbakwe of blessed memory suffered the same fate but today people have counted miles to adjudge him a performer.

It will not be strategically expedient to further dissipate precious energy reacting to the amusing and obvious obscenities of Mr. Agbonsuremi but not before I draw his attention to numerous infrastructural strides of Governor T.A. Orji, which has even been aired on African independent Television. Management of Daar Communications Plc, which as it were, superintends over these subsidiaries, should not erode our confidence by condoning the frivolities of employees like Mr. Agbonsuremi. I may not be holding brief for others, but his constant and hyperbolic utterance is over staying its welcome in the ears of numerous listeners of Ray power 100.5fm Abuja.

Against the back drop of obvious and glaring paucity of funds largely championed by abysmally low and insufficient federation allocation, and recently aggravated by the destructive global economic melt-down, Governor T.A. Orji has comparatively and conscientiously instituted a reliable path-way for the attainment of infrastructural and socio-economic light for Abia State. Consequently, we are well aware that in the face of a fluctuating allocation, which hovers at boom time between 3- 3.5 billion naira monthly, Abia State whose civil service emolument has risen to N2.5 billion, will in a matter of months take possession of their new twin and ultra modern workers secretariat. This will be closely followed with the investor's magneting International Conference Centre with the capacity to seat over 3500 participants. The old and existing workers secretariat is having a touch of modernity so as to synchronize with the emerging new look at Ogwurube Layout upon which the amazing Central Bank of Nigeria and the re-built Customary Court of Appeal are situated.

A Shouting distance from the Customary Court of Appeal will un-wrap the fast sprouting new government house Umuahia, which succeeding administrations in Abia State have not mustered the courage to bequeath the state. This is just as the project-dominated initiatives of Governor T.A. Orji will not permit him to leave the State Broadcasting Service alone. The contractor handling the office complex of the station recently reiterated his determination to deliver on or before the expiration of June.

The new office complex for judges at the State High Court is rapidly being constructed. In the same vein, Commissioners' Quarters, is receiving massive expansion with the addition of new buildings. Few months' back, the new and Ultra-Modern Planning Commission was dedicate by Governor T.A. Orji himself, for optimum execution of government business.

The Governor has also commissioned the Merry Go Round Ahia-Eke –Umunna-Orpet Road that connected the World Bank-Agbama Road. Same day also heralded the celebration of Okwuta-Bende Link road all situated in Abia Central, which proudly plays host to Umuahia, the State Capital.

The destructive voyage of Mr. Agbonsuremi to Abia if he made any beclouded his sense of objective judgment. In a bid to satisfy his piper blowers, he ignored the exhilarating and pervading sigh of relief ruling the air in Aba, African's commercial hub.

Located in the southern geo-political configuration of Abia State, the verifiable reality is that things are looking up in Aba now. The emotional and fatherly concern of Governor T.A. Orji in the first instance compelled him to urgently award the construction of an over-head bridge at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. This strategic and calculative intervention is presently mitigating against incessant road mishap which occurs at the Polytechnic's gate.

De-flooding and construction of drainage at the popular Ukwu-Mango to connect A line at the Ariaria International Market, opened up Faulks Road. Informed and objective minded Abians are perfectly in the know that before now, the Ukwu-Mango - Faulks road, was a dead end and residents of Aba have lived with this nightmare for over 20 years. The good news is that a thoroughfare from Faulks road will ultimately terminate at the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road end of Ariaria International Market. How else can we describe a groundbreaking move, if this is not one? The flood prone Ohanku road has been connected to Ehi Road. A drainage work is on going at the East end by Dan Fodio. This will see to it that collected floods are emptied at waterside. Construction of Port-Harcourt road is being complemented with drainage, coupled with de-silting of blocked flood channels to facilitate the comprehensive collection and evacuation of floodwater. At Osisioma junction, same flood concern is being tackled, after which the Osisioma-Ekeakpara road will be re-constructed. The East/Ahia Udele-water side erosion control is a commendable effort of Governor T.A. Orji's government. His people oriented government is dealing with the Obikabia-Isiala Ngwa North express road. The Obohia-Ugwunagbo road is on going, and it is the situation at cemetery road, Ehere road, Umuola road and Old Express-Samec road.

In Abia North, the Governor's onslaught on infrastructural challenge has been awe-inspiring. Ohafia Arochukwu road is being rapidly constructed. Same is the case at Ndioji, Ndiokereke-Abam road, Amekpu-Okagwe Ohafia road, Umuahia-Nkpa-Express road, Nunya-Eluama-Isuikwuato road, Ovim-Acha Isuikwuato road, Ozuitem-Umuhuezechi – Abam road and Imo Bridge at Nneato.

Time and space will obviously constrain me to further educate gropping critics like Agbonsuremi, that Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre located in Umuahia and Aba is already admitting patients from neighbouring states who throng the hospital with critical and delicate ailments like livers, heart, kidney, eye and other allied challenges. This is in addition to over 210 health centers located in all the nooks and crannies of the state, and the diagnostic center is freely available for Mr Agbonsuremi to do a mental check up so as to enable him crosscheck facts before playing to the gallery.

As earlier on somewhere indicated, these submissions are verifiable and for which I challenge the likes of Mr. Agbonsuremi to officially visit Abia State with a view to ascertaining the veracity of this claim or otherwise. Armchair critics, whose indulgence is to deride the innocent, will before long crash their career. Let us look before we leap and refrain from un-solicited exaggeration of Abia matters. Governor T.A. Orji is not in the league of those who institute democratic dividends on the blitz of media platforms.

The state is evidently on-course and in the words of Chief T.A. Orji, history will vindicate the just.

Culled from:http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvnews/87394/1/infrastructural-milestones-of-gov-t-a-orji-amidst-.html

CAVEAT EMPTOR: REAGAN UFOMBA

Benjamin Franklin, an American author, printer, philosopher, diplomat, scientist and inventor,

who lived between 1706 and 1760 can be described as a man who saw it all. One of his wise words etched on the marble states succinctly that ‘it is hard for an empty bag to stand erect.’ This was recently manifested by Reagan Ufomba in his publication of Monday 26, 2012 on Daily Sun Newspaper. It is equally a known adage that empty vessels make the largest noise and Reagan did exactly that,  trying vainly to cast aspersion on the person of Chief T A Orji. Sample these past deeds of the self-styled Governorship hopeful and you will judge the man Reagan. Reagan Ufomba came into public glare in the Orji Uzor Kalu era in Abia State as a special assistant on projects, a post he held for over five years without elevation due to his unsavory assistance. This is no surprise as the above author came to his rescue when he stated that ‘you can give a man an office, but you cannot give him discretion’. Before this time, little was known about him except that he jumped out of a seminary and short circuited a priestly bid and so remained a man with divine curse. Other credentials smirk of crime, calumny unbridled duplicity and serial mendacity. Take these for samples: In 1994, Reagan published an obituary of himself to dodge creditors he swindled. Some years later, he persuaded his people to pay a counterpart fund for a non-existent water project and churned out lies  in defence until the youths of his community rolled out tanks against him where he made a plea to save his uninspiring life. This episode led a heartbroken mother who expected to be addressed as MAMA Father to a heart attack that later killed her.

His marriage is another tale of woes. Not intent on living with a woman all his life, he abandoned his wife in Lagos and lived at his Umuogele Nsulu home with a comfort lady who doubled as a secretary. This ugly union led to the birth of twins in which one half survived. In his true to type lifestyle of not excelling at anything, even if it is in cooking Indomie noodles, the union ended in child custody battle that battered the lady until she died mysteriously.

If you are still reading, Reagan floated a dubious cement factory that was billed to beat Dangote in cement manufacture. He successfully coaxed distributors to part with money as deposits. The cement business which is still in his website never manifested and investors are still duped till today.

While serving as an aide to Orji Uzor, he swindled an Owaza man of not less than four million naira with promise to have an autonomous community carved out for him. As stated earlier, his live is crime incorporated and scandal unlimited. 

Culled from:  http://www.insiderweeklymagazine.com/ed514.php

THIS MAN - REAGAN UFOMBA!!!

BY EJIMNKONYE OGUOFOR

Story, story, story all the time...does this man actually want us to take him seriously? He says abia elites and leaders are in support of Gov T A Orji, but did not tell the world why all well meaning abians ostracised him and his dubious politicking. The truth is that Mr. Ufomba has deep deficiency of character and is so untrustworthy that even his kinsmen in Ntigha have roundly rejected him not just in the last elections but in their various town union activities. He should go ahead and publish all that he claims he has on the elections. 

As a bad loser, he finds it difficult to distinguish between constructive criticism based on policies and issues and rabblerousing borne out of bitterness and envy. Because he is out of business, he finds time to concoct tales with the singular aim of distracting the government. Elections are not won on the pages of newspapers but it is the people who choose their leaders. Dejected Reagan should realise this and shut up his demented mind.

Governor T.A. Orji is already transforming the state. Evidence to this abound.

While Reagan Ufomba cowardly abandoned Abia people and busied himself with his many questionable activities during the 8-year reign of Orji Uzor Kalu's despotic regime, Abia patriots fought gallantly to reclaim their political power. The climax of this was the gallant decision of Chief TA Orji to take the bull by the horns and liberate abians from the kalu dynasty. One wonders where Reagan was and what he did during that dark decade? We challenge Reagan who is now been sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu as is clearly shown by the numerous  interviews exclusively published by Orji Kalu's newspaper to point out any surviving road left by the former governor in aba after ten years. He should also give us a list of five public buildings erected by the former governor in abia state during his reign of terror.

Reagan is nothing but a limbless political lackey looking for job after woefully loosing out in the last elections. Having realized that 419 business is no longer lucrative and in view of the searchlight EFCC has placed on him. He is now relishing in the contrived title of 'opposition' even when he could not win his own ward in a guber contest acclaimed by all and sundry to be free and fair. By the way, even if the election was rigged as he is quick to claim, does it mean that a whole governorship candidate lacks so much clout that he  could not protect the results in the booths in his own ward? His admission that he visits Abia once in every eight months is instructive here. A man like that cannot boast of grassroot support. How can this mad man claim Orji Kalu built Aba General Hospital which was established in the 80s'? how could he ever try to wish away the world class diagnostic centre built by Ochendo? Anyway, the real truth has come out and as Reagan, Ikonne and Orji Kalu regroup, Abians are ever ready to cast out these known demons with their antics.

This is a response to the interviews granted by REAGAN UFOMBA as published in the The Sun & Nation Newspapers on 8th & 9th of April 2012.