From Steve Oko, Umuahia
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has said that his philosophy of road construction is that it is better to build few but durable roads than multiple roads that fail before they are commissioned.
The Governor who stated this Tuesday in Umuahia during the 28th anniversary of the creation of Abia State said 75% of the roads built by his administration had survived four rainy seasons.
He said he decided to patronise ‘grade A’ contractors so as to guarantee the durability of the roads constructed under his watch.
”I don’t believe in palliatives; it’s either I do it and do it well or leave it. I want Abia to remember me as a man who did not do all the roads, but who the few ones he did have refused to fail.
”Well shall no longer build roads without drainage in Abia”, Ikpeazu declared.
The Governor who extolled the virtues of the founding fathers of the state promised to sustain their lofty visions to move the state forward.
He also commended the efforts of the past administrations in the state and promised to leave the state better than he met it.
”I want to pledge that we shall be relentless in the pursuit of the ideals of sustainable development and build a lasting foundation for future generations of our people. ”
Gov. Ikpeazu identified Enyimba Economic City Project as the greatest policy thrust of his administration, assuring that the project would soon commence in earnest.
He said the project estimated to create 700,000 jobs in the next 10 years would revive the economy of both the state and the entire South-East zone.
Ikpeazu disclosed that the Federal Government had already bought 20% shares of the multi-billion Naira project because of its economic viability.
The Governor also said his administration had posted remarkable achievements in the education sector as “Abia has remained the number one state in WAEC Examination in Nigeria for four consecutive years now “.
He promised to continue to prioritize security to ensure the safety of residents and their property.
The event also witnessed the conferment of honorary awards to deserving Abians.
Some of the recipients of Enyi Abia (Elephant) award include Professor Joshua Ogbonnaya, Professor Anthony Nwabughuogu, HRM Eze Appolosa Oji, and former Secretary to the State Government, Mazi Donatus Okorie.
