Rebuilding, Repositioning Nigeria’s Southeast

There is a growing demand for the leaders of the five states in the southeastern region of Nigeria to prioritise the rapid development of the area. Many believe that this call is particularly crucial now as the people of the region seek a significant departure from the past, where governors in the South-east remained distant from the populace rather than engaging closely to understand their social and economic needs. Instead, they are encouraged to work hand in hand with the people to address these challenges collectively.

The local residents advise Ndigbo that genuine hard work and brotherly love are essential for overcoming their current struggles for national recognition and acceptance as a significant force in national affairs.

Recently, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) issued an appeal, encouraging Igbo indigenes both within Nigeria and around the world to invest in the five South East states and contribute to the region’s economic growth. In a statement released by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil rights advocacy group urged Igbo sons and daughters to consider investing in their home state, emphasising that it would be beneficial for them. HURIWA emphasised the significance of Ndigbo in the Diaspora and across the country taking proactive steps to bring back some of their businesses to the Southeast region, thereby playing a vital role in its economic development.

Also, some Igbo indigenes are urging the governors, especially the newly elected ones in the southeast region, to concentrate on agriculture and the revival of defunct industries and factories. This approach is believed to be crucial for generating employment opportunities for the youth and fostering prosperity in the region. Notably, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has received commendation for his efforts to reposition the state for development. His plans to establish an innovation park and a modular refinery in Abia to accelerate economic growth are seen as positive steps in the right direction.

Furthermore, stakeholders in Abia State have lauded Governor Alex Otti for his remarkable efforts in fulfilling his promise to revitalise the state and improve the lives of its citizens. Since assuming office on May 29, Governor Otti has shown unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and a staunch stand against corruption.

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In his inaugural speech at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Governor Otti emphasised his dedication to a responsible and ethical government that will not tolerate corruption or malpractices. Without delay, he embarked on a rebuilding process aimed at resetting the system, fostering sustainable socio-economic growth, and attracting potential investors.

Governor Otti’s actions have aligned with his words, as he actively engages with both existing and potential investors interested in exploring opportunities in Abia State. This surge of interest from investors reflects their growing confidence in the new administration’s ability to drive positive change.

One of the significant steps taken by Governor Otti to enhance revenue generation and promote economic growth was the launch of a new digital tax system. This innovative system simplifies tax compliance for businesses while eliminating fraud and intermediaries in revenue collection. Additionally, the integration of a free medical insurance scheme for commercial vehicle drivers and riders has strengthened the state’s revenue potential and improved healthcare access for the people.

Recognising the urgent need for improved healthcare facilities, Governor Otti has initiated measures to upgrade hospitals across the state. Acknowledging the deplorable state of some healthcare institutions, he pledged necessary improvements to ensure better medical services for the citizens.

To rejuvenate the commercial center of Abia State, Aba, Governor Otti has taken the initiative to rehabilitate several key roads. Moreover, addressing waste management and clearing drainages are among the primary steps taken to ensure enduring infrastructure development in the state.

Overall, Governor Alex Otti’s proactive and dedicated approach to governance has garnered praise from various stakeholders, as he continues to make significant strides in repositioning Abia State for a brighter future.

Dr. Uche Ejike, a politician, spoke about the positive changes occurring in the state. The government has engaged private investors to aid in waste management, strategically placing waste disposal buckets in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital. This endeavor aims to improve the cities’ sanitation and create job opportunities.

Dr. Ejike praised Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment, determination, and passion for the people’s welfare since assuming office. With his leadership and the people’s support, Abia State is poised for positive transformation and development. Governor Alex Otti has initiated a new social contract with the citizens, promising to utilize all his abilities diligently to rescue the state from its tumultuous past.

Governor Otti presented a comprehensive five-point agenda to address the state’s challenges, encompassing economic and social transformation, public service reforms, and internal security. He acknowledges that there are no magical solutions to the long-standing issues but emphasizes meticulous planning and comprehensive master plans to tackle problems like flooding and revitalize cities like Aba and Umuahia. Immediately after his inauguration, he declared a state of emergency on waste management, leading to a Taskforce that successfully cleared tons of refuse, making the cities cleaner and more habitable.

The governor actively seeks collaboration with various agencies, organizations, and businesses to achieve his vision of rebuilding the state. He has met with heads of security agencies, the World Bank Country Director, medical associations, corporate executives, and traditional rulers to foster a united and progressive approach to governance.

Governor Otti’s administration also displays a compassionate side, as evidenced by the decision to pay pensioners without waiting for a verification exercise to be completed. He prioritises education, declaring a state of emergency in the sector and planning to reconstruct and renovate seventeen schools across the state. Additionally, he has implemented a revolutionary digital tax system to curb fraud and boost revenue, while also providing a free medical insurance scheme for commercial vehicle operators to foster entrepreneurial growth within the state.

A group of Abia Civil servants under the umbrella of Concerned Abia Civil Servants for Transparency (CACST) has praised Governor Otti for taking steps to eliminate ghost workers allegedly planted by the former PDP-led government in the Abia Civil Service.

Reacting to a startling revelation, it has come to light that a significant number of illegal names were surreptitiously added to the Civil Service by the previous PDP-led government earlier this year. This dubious tactic was employed to gain the support of the Abia electorate. The group, led by Mr. Jacob Alozie Nwaagbara, lauds Governor Otti for taking decisive action against this unethical practice, which will safeguard the welfare of legitimate workers and put an end to the fraudulent act of embezzling government funds by using fictitious employees to claim salaries.

The group strongly condemns the false alarms raised by the opposition PDP and their leaders. They are circulating baseless stories about workers being sacked to cause unrest and undermine the current administration’s efforts. The days when these leaders could manipulate the system to draw salaries for non-existent individuals while depriving genuine workers are now a thing of the past.

The group expresses satisfaction with the government’s commitment to initiate salary payments on or before the 28th of each month, as pledged by Governor Otti. This timely payment will alleviate the financial burden on workers and foster transparency in the payroll system.

It should be remembered that shortly after Governor Dr. Alex Otti’s inauguration, the opposition PDP relentlessly demanded the payment of May salaries, conveniently ignoring the fact that it was their own government that had control of the May allocation. Subsequent investigations exposed their deceitful tactics of inflating the payroll with imaginary workers to defraud the state, at the expense of genuine employees.