Like other years, 2013 has inevitably emptied into the stockpiles of
\nhistory. For some, it willalways evoke a feeling of accomplishment while
\nfor others; it is stacked with sad andunfortunate memories they may not
\nwish recall. The realty of life is that God has designed it to function as
\n\u201cdifferent strokes for different folks\u201d Let me reiterate my felicitations
\nto ourholidaymakers, majority of who have since returned to base. I have
\nnever hidden my excitement for the commemorative yuletide season, given
\nthe occasion it freely provides for us to exchange banters and
\npleasantries with our kits and kin living within and in the Diaspora, who
\nduring such season retire to their ancestral roots to participate and
\nconsummate the flurry of joy associated with the season.
\nThe yuletide as recently and globally consummated, also helps to
\nfacilitate and illuminate the unquantifiable affection of God for mankind,
\nwhich compassionately gave rise to the royal birth of his son for the
\nsalvation of our strayed souls.
\nGod intended that His affection and compassion should be contagious, so we
\ncould have a global environment harmoniously ruled by love, unity and
\nhonesty.
\nEach time we lose sight of these essentialities; we are confined to a
\nreckless race for self-satisfaction and other unwholesome indulgencies.
\nBut more importantly, the outstanding effect of our saviour\u2019s deep-seated
\nlove and compassion had often resonated in the administration of our
\nstewardship.
\nConsequently, the current breath of fresh air in Abia State is a healthy
\nfallout of the clannish sense of belonging carefully and thoughtfully
\ninstituted amongst our people. Life and the aggregation of what it
\nportends, has taught us that we can only be remembered by the legacies we
\nleave behind and the gloomy faces we were able to brighten up.
\nThe beginning of another year has made it essentially needful to
\nre-emphasize our avowal in driving our commitment for the continuous good
\nof Abians and humanity in general. The first critical importance of
\ntriumphing over political alienation & disenchantment hitherto prevalent
\nin the State ushered the veritable platform for the flourishing of other
\nblue- prints. The Abia project is a participatory endeavour where
\nstrategic ideas necessary for the stimulation of our socio-economic growth
\nhave been lavishly encouraged.
\nThe atmosphere of peace and tranquility prevalent in Abia has enabled
\nGovernment not to renege in maintaining the tempo of development as
\ntypified by the scores of activities taking place in the infrastructural
\ndrive of the state.
\nMy personal and emotive debt of gratitude is through this medium gladly
\nconveyed to all dear brothers and sisters who during the holidays ventured
\non a tourist appreciation of the practical indications of our loyal
\nstewardship located here and there. Not a few of them graciously got back
\nto us, acknowledging and identifying with the remarkable difference in the
\nface of Abia proudly championed by the structural revolution going on in
\nUmuahia and other geo-political entities of the State.
\nThe Ubani Market movement was not wishful thinking given what has become
\nof the old Umuahia Market. Having completed the evacuation of the old
\nmarket site, Government will make provision for the construction of state
\nof the art recreation garden to enhance the aesthetic beauty of Umuahia
\nthe State Capital.
\nThe new Market Complex, which presently boasts of over 10,000 shops and
\nstill counting, is carefully and futuristically located in a very
\nconducive environment, hugely spacious enough to accommodate over 2000
\ncars and modern parks for conveyance of goods and services.
\nContrary to what obtained at the old market site, the new Market Complex
\nis equipped with a functional Fire Service Station capable of rising to
\nany occasion. The security radar, tightly securing the state has been
\nextended to the market, through the presence of modern Police Station to
\nadequately deal with all security matters arising from the market. New and
\nold roads, leading to the market are being constructed and expanded.
\nThe foreseeable long run effect will lead to increase in access roads in
\nthe Capital territory. The inevitable relocation of Umuahia Market to
\nUbani neighborhood yielded the expected result of decongesting the
\nhitherto clustered and chaotic Isi-gate and Okpara Square. Government will
\nhopefully replicate same in Aba through the on-going construction of Aba
\nMega-Shopping Mallsbeing powered in synergy with private investors.
\nGovernment is not unmindful of the glaring reality that Ariaria
\nInternational Market cannot be stretched beyond its present limit hence
\nthe vitality of expansion and modernity. Our health care sector which was
\nat its lowest before the advent of our divine administration has been
\nre-engineered to produce eye wondering and ear tingling milestones. To us
\nthe Specialist Hospital situated in Umuahia and Aba and recently equipped
\nwith sophisticated dialysis facilities is no longer news. What has become
\nthe new craze is the on-going and ambitious 100 bed Specialist Hospitals
\nlocated in nine Local Government Areas of the State and due to be
\ncelebrated soonest, and the current installation of a modern eye center to
\ntake care of all eye ailments.
\nOur commitment in 2014 will be driven to establish new grounds and
\ninaugurate projects which foundations were flagged off few seasons ago.
\nThis will include the prestigious InternationalConference Center built to
\naccommodate over 5,000 guests in one seating and for which tastefully
\nfurnished hotels sprouting here and there are waiting in the wings to
\npartake in itsexhilarating flurry of local and international activities.
\nAlso, to be inaugurated, will include the (ICT) compliant e-library well
\nlocated for enhancement of learning. The gigantic and imposing twin
\nworkers secretariat also to be inaugurated will undoubtedly free us from
\nthe nightmare and unacceptable lay back of operating from old and
\nantiquated classroom blocks and engender the requisite motivation critical
\nfor effective work delivery in our civil service system.<\/p>\n
The classical new government house will be delivered to the good people of
\nAbia state and deservedly free our state from the retrogressive past of
\noperating from a rented apartment.
\nThe prestigious High court complex in Umuahia and Aba, which has become a
\ntourist attraction of some sort, will also be delivered to the good people
\nof Abia State in 2014.
\nEvery opportunity to interact with our people, calls to mind our
\ncommitment to uphold the virtues of equity, justice and fair play, which
\nour founding fathers bequeathed the state and we shall not renege in
\nflying that flag.
\nT. A. Orji. Governor of Abia State wrote in from Umuahia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Like other years, 2013 has inevitably emptied into the stockpiles of history. For some, it willalways evoke a feeling of accomplishment while for others; it is stacked with sad andunfortunate…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-opinions"],"yoast_head":"\n