BY STEPHEN ODOH
Few days ago, the fractional Publicity Secretary of the main opposition Party in the State Mr. Nwoba Chika Nwoba in his usual unwarranted, unfounded, malicious and mockery style of misrepresenting Ebonyi State dished out a deceiving and baseless rant in his facebook page, calling the new Abakaliki under our indefatigable Gov. David Nweze Umahi "a beautiful nonsense". The self acclaimed fractional Publicity Secretary of the party in the State staggered in his write-ups fruitlessly to falsely and inaccurately portray Ebonyi in a bad light before the world in an attempt to gain undue cheap popularity and as well discredit His Excellency the Governor as against the developmental strides recorded in Ebonyi State in the last 6 years.
At first, it would amount to waste of time to respond to such gibberish coming from a drowning shrimp but for the gullible ones, especially those who have not been on the shore of Ebonyi State for the past 6 years, this will allay the evil ploy by dementias to portray Ebonyi in a bad light.
The area and the people called Abakaliki prior to 1996 was a beehive of decayed and under developed people whose stories were being read in the pages of newspapers as colony of lasar fever, VVF, tuberculosis, leprosy, guinea worm diseases amongst others.
People, whose major means of survival were menial jobs and hawking in the streets of Lagos, Onitsha and other major cities in Nigeria.
Worst still, lack of human and infrastructural development, decayed, dusty , rough roads, dirty waters, darkness and timidness were the order of the day. The state of Abakaliki at the time was so pitiable that just a mere mention of Abakaliki as one's origin entails so much awkward impression and strong inferiority complex, begging for acceptability.
Abakaliki was so neglected, deserted and denied so much so that many outsiders thought that Abakaliki as an entity was in another planet.
The rays of development in old Abakaliki started sequel to the creation of Ebonyi state in 1st October, 1996 by Late General Sani Abacha with Abakaliki Metropolis as the Capital city. That singular pronouncement brought Navy Captain Walter Feghabor as the first Military Head of the state, followed by Simeon Udoye.
Then, came democracy in 1999 with Dr. Sam Egwu as the first Executive Governor of the state, followed by Chief Martins Elechi. These sets of officers did their bests in developmental projects and human capacity building during their time.
Here emerged the third Executive Governor of Ebonyi States Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi Fnse, Fnte.
Ebonyi state government under the indefatigable leadership of Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi has carved a niche in both human and infrastructural development in the state.
Without mincing words, every sector of developmental base in the state has felt the positive impact of the present leadership.
Every administration that has the developmental growth of her people at heart must project peculiar core values that spearhead the dimension with which such government desires to project the State.
Gov. Umahi on assumption of the duty in 2015, took a sharp diversion from what his predecessors did. Ebonyi as a new state that desired aggressive development, he compared Ebonyi in terms of befitting road networks /overhead bridges, aesthetical beautification of the state and commercial and industrial aspects of developing the State.
In a spectacular manner, the present administration came on board on 29th May 2015 and picked her pelt on infrastructural development. As earlier enumerated, the few shadow of asphalted roads constructed by the previous administrations were either patched or half done or managed with inferior materials, thus, left uncountable deadly potholes on the major roads in the Capital city.
The introduction of Cement base roads experiment in Nigeria was first carried out in Ebonyi state by Gov. Umahi. As a Civil Engineer, Gov. Umahi on assumption of office inspected a short cement based concrete road constructed by expatriate geologists at NIGERCEM in 1930. The road till date remained concreted and strong without any crack nor pothole.
That led Ebonyi State government into taken the lead in making the required switch from asphalt to cement technology which is also known as rigid pavement technology in road construction.
Since 2015 to date, the state government with this new technology in road construction has constructed over 20 major roads, which includes the successful completion of 13 roads selected roads from the 13 Local Government Areas in Ebonyi state. They are:
23.7km Hilltop-Agbaja-Nwofe state road in Ebonyi North senatorial zone, 15.5km Nkalagu-Ehamufu federal road in Ebonyi Central, the 33.5km Okposi - Amasiri-Uburu federal road, Ezzama-Oshiri-Onicha-Isu-Uburu road, Amasiri-Nguzu-Owutu Edda road, Ntezi-Agba-Isu road, Ndufu-Alike AE-FUNAI road, Mile 50-Ishieke dualization and other massive internal road networks in Abakaliki city, Uburu and Afikpo.
The ongoing dualization of Abakaliki-Enugu Federal highway, Abakaliki-Afikpo Federal highway were not left out.
Gov. Umahi with his technical engineers use a mixture of crushed granite materials and other items to achieve a thickness level of 300mm and then cast with concrete reinforcement with 8mm to 10mm high tensil (mash of wires) reinforcement bars over the stabilised base course before treatment with prime coat and asphaltic concrete to get 8 inches concrete pavement above the land level.
Undoubtedly, the technology is more durable, sustainable, rigid, and accessible.
However, the cost of this technology is higher than the conventional asphalting construction methods.
Engr Umahi with his wealth of engineering experiences chose to embark on this road method as a way of strengthening the load bearing capacity of some roads in the state and boost the strength and quality of the finished work.
In a clearer term, experts opined that the suitability of concrete roads has a guarantee of minimum of 50 years, asphalt roads last for less than 10 years. Aside their durability, concrete roads are more environmentally friendly compared to asphalt roads.
Furthermore, researches have also confirmed that vehicles consume less fuel on concrete roads. This, according to experts, is because a concrete road does not get deflected under the wheels of loaded trucks. Unlike asphalt roads, Cement concrete roads do not get damaged by the leaking oils from the vehicles or by the extreme weather conditions like excess rain or extreme heat.
Comparably, cement technology is used in the construction of airport run-ways, miry or swampy areas, tarmac and places that carry high load bearing capacity, machines and equipment.
In a twin dimension, Ebonyi state government noted a tremendous influx of traffic in the state and resorted to the construction of overhead bridges to decongest traffic flow in certain areas. The areas are: 1.9km Akanu Ibiam flyover (at Former Spera Indeo roundabout), 2.4km Ofia Nwali flyover (at Former PRESCO junction), 1.7km International Market flyover, 1.2km Abaomege flyover, Ongoing Ezzangbo and Nkalagu flyover, and assorted flyovers in Uburu (with dimensions of over 35 span each).
It is on record that the first ever flyover in the entire Ebonyi state was constructed by Engr. David Nweze Umahi.
The state of art facilities, water fountains at various traffic streams, Abakaliki glass tunnel, the decorative lights that repel nocturnal negativism, ornamental trees, flowers that adorned the capital city and traffic lights at very strategic locations have all reshaped Abakaliki into a modern city.
*THE NEW GOVERNMENT HOUSE.*
Almost the replica of the three armed zones located at Abuja, the same was recently completed in Ebonyi state under Governor Umahi.
The government of Engr. David Nweze Umahi has given a facelift to the capital city by the renovation of the old Government House, its environ and as well, construction of new government House that houses presidential lodge, governor's lodge, EXCO chamber, council members quarter, CBN state office, and the relocation of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including the judiciary to the new state Secretariat located at Ochudo City Secretariat at the new government house premises. The comeliness of the area is second to none.
The new government house and the State Secretariat were beautified with ultra modern structures and facilities to match.
*INVESTORS THRONG ABAKALIKI CAPITAL CITY OVER UMAHI'S INFRASTRUCTURAL STRIDES*
As against the fractional Publicity Secretary of PDP's assertion that Umahi's policies are unfriendly to intending investors in the State, permit me to state clearly here that under Governor Umahi's infrastructural growth, so many investors have thronged Abakaliki Capital City in the last 6 years, Roban Stores, Chilis foods, Chicken Republics, new commercial banks, new transport businesses, solid mineral investors increasing geometrically in the State, and lots more. It is ironical for anyone to state that investors left the state sequel to any government harsh policy.
*HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT*
Ebonyi state government under the workaholic Governor David Nweze Umahi has done tremendously excellent also in human development. The various intervention funds to aid intending & existing SMEs and other entrepreneurial development in the state are second to none. The N4b loan facilities to government functionaries, civil servants, farmers and industrialists were not left out. The Governor in his wisdom since assumption of office in 2015 has incorporated over 1000 aides aside his exco members into his government as Technical Assistants, Senior Technical Assistants and Executive Assistants.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Business Development in collaboration with relevant Federal Government agencies no doubt have trained over 10,000 Ebonyi people in various skills and as well equipped them into full scale entrepreneurs.
Also, in human capacity development and to ameliorate high level of unemployment in the state, Ebonyi state government under Governor Umahi has procured uncountable numbers of tricycles, distributed same to hundreds of indigenes of the state across the country for empowerment.
*AGRICULTURE.*
Ebonyi state government has a policy of "one man, one hectare". That implies that Ebonyi state government made it compulsory that everyone in Ebonyi state irrespective of your position or inclination must have at least one hectare of farm for various agro productions such as rice plantation, cassava, yam, maize etc.
Ezillo farm that has over 100 hectares of land has been turned to centre of rice, cassava & maize production.
The popular Abakaliki rice is a household name in Nigeria and also outside the country. The ban on importation of foreign rice in Nigeria was a tonic to Ebonyi rice industry.
The 3 modern rice processing machines located at the 3 senatorial zones of the state have been fully equipped to full production capacity to an international standard.
Livestock and other related animal husbandry had a boost by Governor David Umahi in 2018 through skill acquisition trainings, soft loans/grants and strict close monitoring for optimum output.
Ebonyi Hatchery farm has scaled up full hatchery activities.
Ebonyi State Fertilizer Blending Plant located at Onuebonyi along Abakaliki - Ogoja Road was modernized and upgraded for production of various types of fertilizers from output capacity of 32 Metric tonnes to 80 tonnes per hour which was made possible by the Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi.
The plant has drastically reduced unemployment in the state and also made fertilizers available and accessible to farmers in Ebonyi state, Southeast and Nigeria as a whole.
*COMMERCE*
-International Market
Ebonyi state government led by Engr. David Nweze Umahi has made indelible marks in area of Commerce and Industry. Before the coming of the present administration in 2015, Ebonyi state has only one stuffy & compacted market at old Abakpa Market in the centre of the town.
In 2019, Gov Umahi remolded the ultra modern International market located along popular Abakaliki- Ogoja Federal Highway opposite New Government House.
Successfully and uncompromisingly, Gov. Umahi relocated traders from old Abakpa Market to the new International market. The market with modern technological invention that covered the land span of over 100 hectares encompasses assorted bungalow shops, kiosks, restaurants, warehouses, school, banks, police post, and lots more. The newly constructed market could be likened to the Alaba International market or Onitsha main market as it serves as the access commercial hub to the people of Crossriver, Taraba, Benue, and other neighbouring states.
The sophisticated structures orchestrated by 32 long span flyover to curtail traffic jam at busy Abakaliki-Ogoja Road, spacious parking lots, elegantly refined landscaping, fancy street lights, well drainage system, security apparatus and clean environment that shaped the market to a modern market.
EBONYI SHOPPING MALL:
The newly constructed shopping mall is located at popular Akanu Ibiam bypass that traverses Enugu-Ogoja Highway and Abakaliki - Afikpo Highway.
Gov. Umahi in his bid to ensure standardized infrastructure in Ebonyi state is currently building a replica of Dubai Mall in the state.
A cursory look at the pictures and videos of Dubai mall, juxtaposing it with Abakaliki shopping mall, calls for Ebonyi people to appreciate His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi better.
Gov. Umahi revealed that the edifice was built with respect to structures in the same grandeur with Dubai mall.
Also highlighting some of the facilities and amenities that would make the Mall an exceptional shopping paradise, one that perfectly merges fun and business, Gov. Umahi gave details of the mall saying, "We have games of over 200 million already purchased for adult and children in the area, six escalators and lifters, children's playground, foot court for the adult at about two to three locations.
Situated at the area also includes exotic boutiques, Chinese, Lebanese and African restaurants of different intercontinental cuisines, offices, showrooms, supermarkets in the basement".
Explaining the structure of the mall, His Excellency further described that "It's a 5-level building. "We have the basement, ground floor, first, second and third floor"
So many multinational companies have started installing their business apparatuses and offices for possible take off before the year 2020 runs off.
*INDUSTRY:*
SOLID MINERAL INDUSTRIES:
Ebonyi state is blessed with natural resources, 90% of which are yet to be tapped. Limestones, granites, salts, zinc, lead among others are major mineral deposits in the state.
It is worthy to note that Ebonyi state houses a premier cement factory located at Nigercem Nkalagu which served as economic tonic to Nigerian mainstream income immediately after the Nigerian civil war.
Expatriate geologists noted that Ebonyi state is covered with enormous quantity of limestones yet to be tapped in addition to the several quarry companies littered all over the state which have contributed immensely to internally generated revenue for the state.
Gov. Umahi's administration has indicated strong interest to building cement and other sister industries to harness these deposits and for employment purposes.
*INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS:*
Engr. David Umahi's administration has attracted so many investors into the state to tap the innumerable natural resources in the state. To this end, the administration has established Industries & Industrial Clusters in the three senatorial zones of the state.
The clusters are located at Uburu (Ebonyi South), Ezzangbo (Ebonyi North), and Ntezi (Ebonyi Central). The clusters with the state of art facilities are nearing about 95% completion as allocation of spaces to industrialists has commenced in full capacity.
The Industrial Clusters when completed will absorb different kinds of industrialists in different areas of endeavour such as Mechanical, electrical, Agro based companies, automobile and other industrial engagements in the areas.
The completed ultra modern industrial incubation centre is located at Uburu in Ohozara LGA of Ebonyi state where different types of industrial warehouses, machines, designs, and vocational skill centres are housed. Investors are trooping enmasse to Ebonyi state for effective utilization of the Industrial incubation center.
More so, a World Digital Research Centre is currently being located at the heart of Abakaliki capital city State Secretariat for industrial researches of any kind courtesy of Gov. Umahi's administration.
EBONYI PIPES PRODUCTION COMPANY
Ebonyi Pipes Production Company LTD Ezzangbo is another score card of Ebonyi state government under Engr. Umahi. The pipe factory has been into massive production of different sizes of pipes for water and oil reticulation.
Just recently, the state government has taken serious action for expansion of the company by installation of recycling plant that converting waste materials into polythene bags production as a value chain to feed the public.
The state government also is making strong plan for acquisition of injection Molding Machines for production of Elbows, Joints & rickets, PVCs and other plumbing and electrical materials.
*AIRPORT.*
To the shock of the opposition party in the State, Gov. Umahi is currently building one of the largest airports in Nigeria located on Abakaliki soil. The airport is nearing 80% completion and it is already boosting the economic growth of Ebonyi State.
*EDUCATION:*
Ebonyi state government has done astoundingly great in Education.
First, the construction and reconstruction of both new and dilapidated structures in selected primary and secondary schools in the state was one of the best decisions of the state government.
Construction of Ebonyi state University Permanent site located at Ezzangbo along Enugu-Abakaliki highway, the conversion of Ebonyi state five star hotel under construction to Engineering faculty of Ebonyi state university. First and best of its kind since the inception of the University. It is expected that the new Engineering department will kick start first academic session in January, 2021.
Considering his high passion for quality Education in the state, Governor Umahi has constructed and equipped King David Gifted schools for gifted children in Ebonyi state and Vocational schools in Ebonyi state for vocational studies. Both schools are located with state of art facilities at Ochudo City state Secretariat. The schools have since commenced academic programmes.
The newly constructed King David Umahi Medical University that just secured NUC accreditation beams investors torch lights to Ebonyi State.
The construction of the University which promises to treat major health ailments, renal malfunctions, organs transplant and the likes has reached about 95% completion and the reconstruction of the School of Health and Midwifery all at his country home Uburu have served as a rapid response medical outfit in the state.
The governor has done very well also in training and retraining of teachers in the state to enhance quality academic output.
*HEALTH*
Years ago, Ebonyi state was known as a centre of Guinea worm, VVF, laser fever, tuberculosis, leprosy among others. Today, they are now history.
In conformity with the avowed decision of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi to ensuring that Ebonyi medical sector is ranked the best in the county and his preparedness and dogged efforts in tackling the spread of COVID-19 and other dangerous diseases in Ebonyi State, Governor Umahi has completed the reconstruction, renovation and fully equipped Laser fever centre, virology centre, emergency unit, covid 19 isolation centre and regular maintenance of the Vistula VVF centre all located at Federal Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi state.
Also renovated and equipped were 13 additional 150-bed capacity general with prompt medical teams located at the 13 LGAs of the state.
Governor Umahi further explained that his target was to provide sustainable and workable medical system in the medical sector where a reported emergency case can be attended to in five minutes across the state.
Ebonyi state government in collaboration with relevant agencies have swiftly ameliorated the challenges of her people with reference to several outbreak of diseases in the area.
Just like the biblical saying that
"... if all the other things Jesus did were written down, the whole world could not contain the books".
Indeed, Ebonyi state government under Governor Umahi has recorded tremendous success in infrastructural development and has greatly rewritten the history and story of Ebonyi people that it is like a Carmel passing through the eye of a needle than for any hand, pen & paper be constrained to confine all his achievements so far in office in a book.
Generation unborn and posterity will never forget Engr. David Nweze Umahi in a hurry and those whose stock in trades were to bring Ebonyi to falsified mockery are to bury their faces in shame as we won't allow such incoherent lies to thrive anywhere.
Stephen Odoh is the Honourable Commissioner, Ebonyi State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Business Development.
