Abia collaborating with UN to produce master plan for Aba, Umuahia, Ohafia

*Pledges to complete NUJ Secretariat

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

Abia State government is collaborating with the United Nations to produce a master plan for the state capital, Umuahia, as well as for Aba and Ohafia urbans, the State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has said.

Ikpeazu who spoke when he received in audience, the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Victor Ndukwe, at Government House Umuahia on Monday, July 4, 2022, added that the best way to fast-track infrastructural development was to build durable projects.

Ikpeazu noted that the collaboration between the state and the United Nations was one of the gains of the 30 year-Long Term Development Plan for the state evolved by his administration, stressing that working without a long term development plan was akin to flying an airplane without radar.

According to him, the long term development plan would help Abia to engage in systematic development, prioritising foundational projects.

“Some of the things we are doing today should have been done years ago. Working without a development plan is like flying airplane without radar.

“Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia has no master plan. That is why the state government is collaborating with the United Nations to produce one,” Ikpeazu said.

He said for instance, that the media should be able to educate the populace on the advantages of the Long Term Development Plan, as well as that of the rigid pavement technology he introduced in 2015 as being able to save the tax payers’ money and facilitate increased infrastructural development.

He explained that durable roads would make it possible conserve funds to build new ones, instead of deploying resources to repair newly built roads within a short period.

The Governor maintained that a society develops faster when the Media deploys positively, its role of perception management.

“Role of the media in deepening democracy is perception management and social engineering,” he said, adding that uneducated people could hardly cope if the medial fails in this role.

He therefore urged the media not to engage in de-marketing Abia because of its negative effects, saying “if we de-market our state, we jeopardize the future of our children.”

The Governor also expressed concern the way the media in the country was reporting insecurity, noting that it was affecting investments and development. “Discern what is good and constructively criticize what is bad,” he advised.

Ikpeazu congratulated Comrade Ndukwe on his emergence as the Chairman of NUJ, Abia Council and promised to complete the NUJ Permanent Secretariat under construction.

He directed the leadership of the Council to assess the financial implication of completing the project and revert to him for necessary action.

In his address, Ndukwe appealed to the Governor to ensure the completion of the NUJ Press Centre before he leaves office because the Council was facing serious accommodation problem.

The Abia NUJ Chairman also appealed to the Governor to donate more plots of land to the Council to enable it to establish its proposed business ventures which would help the Council develop a sustainable financial independence.

While thanking Ikpeazu for hosting the 7th NUJ National Triennial Delegates Conference last year, Ndukwe also commended the Governor for the assistance he was rendering to state-owned media organizations and urged him not to relent.

He assured the Governor of the support of the Union in assisting his administration to achieve its developmental goals.

Present during the visit were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahaiwe, and the Commissioner for Documentation and Strategic Communication, Mr Ugochukwu Emezue, among other top government functionaries.