Skip to main content

Orji Kalu failed to lay foundation for Abia development, impoverished the citizenry --Ukasanya


By Byijindu Emeruwa 


Elder statesman and Pioneer chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia state chairman, Chief Tony Ukasanya has lambasted Senate Chip Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu for allegedly failing to lay solid foundation for the infrastructural development to thrive in the state when he held sway as Governor of Abia between 1999 to 2007.


Ukasanya lamented that at the early stage of Orji Kalu's past administration, nothing was planned, and due to lack of foundation, it became difficult for people coming after that tenure of government to follow with a plan.


He maintained that nothing was on the ground for other successive governments to follow.


Ukasanya who spoke during an interview with select Journalists in Umuahia, further claimed that ex-Abia Governor plunged Abia citizenry into untold hardship and suffering with draconian policies.


According to him, "If there was foundation, subsequent governments would have followed and continued to build from what they saw. The first Government failed in laying foundation. If the government had come in, build to an extent, another government would follow their footsteps, but lack of foundation truncated the steps subsequent governments would have followed in order to resemble our neighbors. 


Continuing, the former PDP Chairman added, "the thing we can do is to work hard, Abians outside Abia should come home and develop Abia, it is not for the Government alone. If you go to Imo, you will see development there, what the Government does is to create enabling environment. The first elected administration of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state in 1999, led by the then Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu refused to lay any foundation that his successors would have start from to make Abia an envious state in the South East. If you go to Owerri in Imo state, you see a lot of Abians who built modern Hotels and big businesses. 


"What is happening at Owerri can happen in Abia, if we decide to do it here, it will thrive. Abians should come home and invest, when they come home and invest, Abia will look better than most of the adjoining states. Most of them keep talking about Government, it is not like that. Development is not left for government alone, "he concluded.


Ukasanya lauded the developmental strides of the present administration under Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, which he stated, has change the narratives in Abia.


The Abia Elder statesman said Governor Ikpeazu has given the state infrastructural facelifts, particularly pointing out at the massive road construction and reconstruction projects embarked upon in Aba, and as well as the state government's promotion of Enyimba Economic city through manufacturing of Made in Aba products which has gained international patronage. 


The Party Chieftain said, "that is exactly what Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is doing. I don’t like saying much about Ikpeazu. Though, he is my friend, but he is now trying to lay foundation in the state, create road map and develop that road map. But my fear is that the period left for him to do this is too short. If you go to Aba, which used to be the bane of the whole country’s commerce, it is now a changed place on the basis of infrastructure and economy, he has improved Aba a lot".

Popular posts from this blog

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.  Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic.  Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation.  Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...