ABIA STATE UNDER GOVERNOR T. A. ORJI

The administration of Gov. T. A. Orji has come under fierce criticism from many quarters. Many believe the administration has not done well. Infact one agency placed the administration of the government as the second worst administration in the state carder. A few people whom the critics of the governor called sycophants and earan boys has come up in many occasions to defend the governors administration.

 The word war between these two warring parties motivated me into taking a critical look at what the governor has really done in the state. For the record, am not one of those living in the Diaspora who report from thousands of kilometers away. I live in God’s own state.

I have been critical of the administration of the governor for a long time, because this administration has not lived up to mine personal expectation, but what of the expectations of the masses. Nigerians have a short memory. We tend to forget how bad a situation was if turned around.

Highlights of a few of T. A. Orji’s Works:

Preservation of live:

The governor goes by the name OCHENDU (Live preserver). He has saved a lot of lives in his administration. Before he came in to power, the state was dotted with motorcycle popularly called Okada. This means of transportation claimed many lives in Abia state. The places that Okada killed many people were in Ohafia, Umuahia and Aba.

Then the federal government hospital (FMC) was daily filled with accident victims not to mention other hospitals. I saw cases that made me weep then. In most accident cases people have their head cut off, arms detached etc.

The governor did the unthinkable, he ban Okada in the state and introduced Tricycle (Keke). This singular act of the Ochendu’s administration has reduced death rate in Abia state by more than 70%. Abains should be grateful to Ochendu, both commuters and passengers alike.

When I try reminding one doctor the great impact the ban on Okada has in reducing date rate in the state, he pointed to the big hole that singular action has created in their pockets.

Road constructions

When the governor presented the state budget for 2014, his previous works were highlighted but road was missing. Someone commended the Governor on facebook for the road construction jobs he was doing in the state. I berated him and called him a sycophant because the governor didn’t mention a single road.

The Ochendu’s administration has shifted focus from road construction to structural works. In my opinion, because road works rarely last in Nigeria and administrations are easily forgotten when the peoples plight are taken care of especially road works.

The Orpet junction, many have forgotten how bad the road was before the governor put it in order. The Afaugiri road was another mess, the new secretariat road and so many roads which I will not be mentioning here were built by the Ochendu administration.

ABROMA, the road maintenance agency has been doing a good job in maintaining the state road, but has fail short of expectation largely due to poor supervision. Many of the roads they cut open during the xmas period are still waiting to be filled up and dressed. Some roads they have retained to their former glory and therefore need commendation.

 Health Care

This administration set up the Abia state Diagnostic centre. The people there are real professionals, mostly white men. When my dad went there for test, the workers there who are Abian wasted a lot of his time and when the doctors found out the berated them for that and apologized to my Dad. After his diagnosis, mine dad highly recommends the centre.

Transportation

The introduction of mini coaster busses to the transportation system of Abia state is the second people oriented service the T. A. Orji’s administration has done beside Okada ban.

The roads where this busses ply witnessed a reduced and stabilized transportation fare during the xmas period. It is a known fact that commuters increase their transportation fare during xmas, but that didn’t happen this year on the route plied by the Ochendu mini busses. The only limitation is that the busses are not yet enough to carter for the transportation needs of the people. There are still other routes begging for the innovative introduction of the mini busses. Area like the umudike axis needs the luxury mini buses to ease student’s transportation burden.

Market construction

This is the third people’s oriented thing the Ochendu’s administration is doing. This administration moved two big markets from the state capital. The Timber market and the Umuahia main market were successful moved by the Ochendu lead administration. The timber market has a modern touch. In my visit to the market, I fell in love with the place. The relocated Umuahia main market popularly known as Ubani market is a beautiful sight though I have not set foot in the market, I have seen it on my way to Ohafia town.

The relocation of these two markets greatly reduced the traffic that was building up on a daily bases in the state capital. Cars can easily negotiate the rising city now, though the people are still yet to adjust to the changes coming to the state capital.

I personally give my commendation to the Governor for the successful relocation of the two markets. The relocation of the two markets will decentralize development in the state.