Ikpeazu promises to address the lack of federal presence in Abia South by 2023.

UMUAHIA- Abia State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has vowed to take immediate action to address the zone’s lack of federal presence if elected Senator in 2023.

He attributed the lack of federal projects and the abandonment of federal roads, as well as the recent protests and blockage of the Aba-Port Harcourt federal expressway by truck drivers, to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s ineffective representation of Abia South zone.

Ikpeazu, who stated this at a town hall meeting with the Abiriba Improvement Union, Aba Branch, in Aba, went on to say that the only way to change the ugly narrative is for the Abia South senatorial district to have a voice capable of attracting federal presence to the zone.

The Governor also promised to bring Abia South into the national spotlight, emphasizing that the time has come for the zone to have a voice in the red chambers in order to change the narrative.

He stated that the situation compelled his administration to build alternative routes to neighboring states in order to allow trade and commerce to thrive in the state.

His words; “Show me one federal government presence in Aba or anywhere in Abia South apart from solar light which most of them are not functional. Today, we are battling an issue where some trailer drivers have blocked the Aba –Port Harcourt federal expressway in protest of its deplorable condition.  If we have a vibrant representative in Abuja that can rise to the occasion and speak for the people, the story will not be the same. We are not asking the federal government to come and give us palliatives, we are asking them to do our federal roads to enable ease of doing business for our traders.

“I think that time has come for us to take our destinies in our own hands. I have worn the shoes and know where it pinches most. I feel the pulse of the people of Abia South and would tackle their problems squarely at the red chambers. The only way to change the ugly narrative is for the Abia South senatorial district to have a voice that has the capacity to attract federal presence to the zone. My vision is to bring federal presence to the Abia South zone, if elected senator in 2023.”

Ikpeazu attributed Aba’s development to the Abiriba people, emphasizing that they have always contributed to the State’s economic development and describing them as resilient, hardworking, and courageous.

He stated that the remaining portion of the Abiriba ring road would be completed soon, and that he had awarded the contract for the completion of Ugwu Court road in Abiriba, and that the contractor would be mobilized to begin work before the end of the month.

Ikpeazu praised the contributions of Abiriba people appointed to positions in his administration and urged Abiriba residents to vote for PDP governorship candidate Prof. Uche Ikonne and other PDP candidates in the election.

“I’m relying on my relationship with Abiriba people and other residents of Aba to win his senatorial election. The people of Abiriba have always contributed to the economic development of Abia State, Abiriba people are known for resilience, hardwork and courage. I will keep my promise and covenant with the people of Abiriba. The remaining part of the Abiriba ring road would soon be completed. The contract for the completion of Ugwu Court road in Abiriba has been awarded .The contractor would be mobilized to commence the construction this month. I urge Abiriba people to support all PDP candidates in the election. A vote for Prof. Uche Ikonne is a vote for the Abiriba people.”

In separate speeches, the President of Abiriba Improvement Union, Chief Nduka Agwu; the Member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Abraham Oba; his Ohafia North counterpart, Hon. Mandela Obasi; the Chairman of the Governing Council of Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, Chief Mba Ukariwo; and the President of Abiriba Improvement Union, Aba Branch, Women’s Wing, Mrs. Comfort Abo

They also thanked the Governor for appointing their sons to positions of authority in the state, including Chief John Okiyi Kalu as Commissioner and Chief Mba Ukariwo as Chairman of the ABSU Governing Council, and stated that it is now time to repay Ikpeazu’s love for the people of Abiriba.

The adoption of Ikpeazu as the consensus senatorial candidate for the Abia South zone was the event’s high point.

For more updates, visit dailygam.com