The administration in Abia has done far better compared to the first two years in the first term between 2007 and 2009. However, given how low the state had sunk in all sectors, the governor still has a long way to go.
GOVERNOR Theodore Orji came into office for the second term on May 29, 2011 with a promise to make up for what he claimed was the lost time in his first term. The governor had prior to the 2011 election alleged that he was distracted by the political opposition who kept him in court for most of the first term and held captive by the political machinations of his predecessor and one time political benefactor, Chief Orji Kalu. So, Governor Orji came into the second term with an aggressive approach to convince the people and make a legacy.
Major Campaign Promises.
In his campaign ahead the 2011 elections, the governor promised that his administration would pursue aggressively, the provision of security of lives and property in view of the very serious security challenges the state witnessed previously when criminal elements, especially kidnappers almost overran some parts of the state, particularly Aba, the commercial city. The bad boys even made an attempt on the governor when his convoy was attacked at Ngwa Iyiekwe in Ukwa West area, on the Port Harcourt-Enugu Express way. Luckily, he escaped.
Governor Orji also promised to build Liberation Farms in the three Senatorial zones of the state which would provide job for the youths as part of his empowerment programme for them as one of the efforts to fight crime in the state. He promised to also build models secondary schools in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Orji equally promised that he would totally transform the health sector, and build Housing Estates for both low and high income earners. Also, he promised to build a secretariat for workers in the state as well as pay them a living wage and to build a new Government House. Governor Orji also promised to industrialize the state by encouraging Private Participating Programme [PPP].
How far has he fared in fulfilling the promises?
Security situation in the state has remarkably improved in the second term with significant drop in the crime rate even including kidnapping. The administration has contributed to this through considerable investment in logistics for the security agencies.
The government has established Ochendo Liberation Farms in the three senatorial zones and over 750 youths have been selected from across the state to be the pioneer beneficiaries of the scheme. They are to be trained for nine months, after which they would be given incentives to establish their own farms as a way of empowering them.
In the provision of infrastructure, the Abia administration has in the last two years put renewed energy in changing the ugly face of roads in the state, especially in the commercial capital, Aba. About 12 roads in Aba have received facelift while the administration has also worked on 16 federal roads in the state at a cost of N14.6 billion.
The government has in the last two years also given a facelift to government buildings and commenced work on a new Government House at the centre of the New Umuahia. In the health sector where Governor Orji has claimed he has great interest in, he has put on ground a functional diagnostic centre while a dialysis centre, an ophthalmology and a specialist Hospital at Amachara are on ground.
Over 250 health centres have also been built in the state’s 291 political wards. Many of them have been fully equipped while others are still being equipped.
The State House of Assembly.
The state House of Assembly in the period under review maintained cordial relations with the governor. The only time both arms disagreed was over plans for local government elections earlier scheduled for last January. The legislature disagreed with the governor’s plans saying that there was no provision for the election in the state budget and that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC was not prepared.
An assertion by the former governor of the state, Chief Orji Kalu that the legislators were being impoverished by the governor received the strong rebuke of the lawmakers who demanded an apology from him.
Views of the opposition.
The claim of progress by administration officials is, however, challenged by the opposition in the state.
Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in the state, Prince Ukaegbu dismissed the governor’s performance in the last two years as “an abysmal failure,” saying that the governor has not done anything compared to the resources given.
The publicity secretary of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Chief Oliver Obiezu equally dismissed the administration as a failure. He said that his party was not happy with the performance of the government which he said was an offshoot of the PPA.
Conclusion.
Governor Orji himself has admitted that he has not actualized all he set out to do in the period under review but claims to have tried. He has two years to clear all doubts about an enduring legacy.
source: Vanguard
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