Three Decades of Abia: A Retrospective Analysis

The 27th of August, 1991, is a significant date in Abia State's history, marking its creation from the old Imo State by the Babangida military administration. Each year, this anniversary is celebrated by the state government to underscore Abia's vital role in Nigeria's political landscape and to highlight its achievements under the current leadership.

In contrast to previous celebrations, this year's event was low key and as announced by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu. He urged Abians to reflect on the progress the state has made to date and consider the significant milestones and developments that have shaped Abia State over the years.

This reflection is intended to foster a deeper appreciation of the state’s growth and achievements, recognizing the collective efforts and advancements that have contributed to its current status.

Abia State is undoubtedly endowed with significant potential, characterized by its rich human and natural resources and a population renowned for its entrepreneurial drive. Despite these advantages, the state has faced persistent challenges due to decades of mismanagement, corruption, and ineffective governance.

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These issues have severely hindered its ability to develop essential infrastructure, maintain economic growth, and address the needs of its citizens. The repeated failures of past administrations have left Abia struggling to capitalize on its inherent strengths, resulting in a gap between its potential and actual progress. As a result, the state has grappled with inadequate public services and poor development, highlighting the urgent need for effective leadership and governance to harness its resources and drive meaningful advancement.

The once-vibrant city of Aba, known for its bustling entrepreneurial spirit, deteriorated significantly due to inadequate infrastructure and dwindling economic prospects. Once a thriving commercial hub, Aba fell into disrepair, with its dynamic businesses and industries suffering from neglect and mismanagement.

In the rural regions, agriculture, which has been the cornerstone of the state’s economy, faced similar neglect. Essential support for farmers and agricultural development was lacking, causing the sector to struggle. This neglect further exacerbated the disconnection between the government and its citizens, fostering a sense of disillusionment and skepticism about the state’s future.

The gap between the government's promises and the actual delivery of services led to widespread frustration among residents. As a result, the once-promising potential of Abia State was overshadowed by a growing sense of uncertainty and a deteriorating quality of life.

Since the election of Dr. Alex Otti as the Governor of Abia state, there have been some notable achievements in the 15 months of his administration. There have also been actions that have drawn criticism.

Additionally, several promises have been made, raising concerns about whether they will be fulfilled. The positive developments are recognized, but the mixed results and unfulfilled pledges leave room for skepticism about future progress.

Ranging from construction and reconstruction of roads to renovation and retrofitting of structures, the Alex Otti administration has made significant strides.

On the Construction and Reconstruction of roads, the Alex Otti administration had announced commissioning of over a 100 roads including the 3.5km 6-lane Aguiyi Ironsi road, formally called Ossah Road.

The Governor had commissioned 15 road projects executed in Aba alone. Some of the road projects includes University Road, Green Avenue, and College Road, all in Aba. He also pledged to transform the commercial capital of the state into a modern, functional city.

He also promised to support the Federal Government in the reconstruction of the Ohafia-Arochukwu Highway which is a federal project that was first awarded by the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) when former President Muhammadu Buhari was the Chairman under General Sani Abacha administration. It was abandoned and later re-awarded in 2011 by erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan and was still abandoned. The Aba-Port Harcourt road is also under reconstruction, alongside the Ariam/Usaka Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene Road.

In late May, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti announced that Access Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s top financial institutions, had shown interest in collaborating with the State Government on a new airport development project. He revealed this information during a visit from the Federal Ministry of Aviation team, who came to Abia State to inspect a proposed site for the new airport project. He pledged that very soon, Abia would no longer be the only state in the Southeast without an airport.

Also, Otti had announced his plan to collaborate with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) to set up an oil refinery in the South-East state. If the project is completed, Abia will join the ranks of leading oil players globally.

Another announcement was the extension of retirement age for teachers and nurses in Abia State. During his monthly briefing with reporters in Umuahia, Governor Otti revealed that the retirement age for these professionals has been increased from 60 to 65 years.

He also promised to revamp the health sector, being one of the priority areas of his administration.

The Abia State ministry of health also promised to revamp and retrofit 200 existing primary health centres across the state. This assurance appears promising, especially after Otti recently approved the upgrade of Amachara General Hospital to provide top-quality health services and the expansion of Abia Diagnostic Centre to offer comprehensive diagnostic services.

At the beginning of Alex Otti's administration, a judicial panel of inquiry was established to recover government properties from officials who served under his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu. Recall that during that time, Otti was engaged in a verbal conflict with Ikpeazu, accusing him of leaving behind "huge debts" and no assets for the new administration.

Since then, the committee has successfully recovered vehicles, generator sets, water tanks, tractors, and other assets from former government officials. Additionally, government lands and assets that had been appropriated as private assets by individuals were also reclaimed.

Last year August, the Abia state government launched a security operation codenamed “Operation Crush” to serve as a response to the lingering challenge of insecurity in many parts of the state. The Governor said “Operation Crush” which combines security agents from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Navy, will counter kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent crimes.

Despite the security agents' diligent efforts to combat insecurity and criminal activities in the state, some recent incidents have undermined their progress. Like the growing attacks on security agents by yet-to-be-identified gunmen, who on three occasions at the gunned down police officers at checkpoints and patrol points.

The killing of policemen at a checkpoint on Opobo Junction in Obingwa Local Government Area occurred less than a month after five soldiers were slain by gunmen at the Obikabia army post along the same route.

Robberies targeting POS operators have become widespread, particularly in the cities of Umuahia and Aba. Seven POS robbers, who operated using tricycles commonly known as keke, were arrested and admitted to robbing and killing two of their victims.

The issue of salaries and pensions is also a thing of immense concern. The Abia government had announced payment of outstanding salaries owed to state workers in tranches. It was also explained that the Alex Otti administration inherited a debt of N16.5 billion in salary arrears for employees in state-owned tertiary institutions.

In the past, salary arrears of up to 11, 22, or even 33 months were owed to workers. For instance, the previous administration left Abia Polytechnic with 33 months of unpaid salaries, College of Education Arochukwu with 22 months, and Abia State University with 11 months. The Hospital Management Board also faced extensive arrears, leading to a work stoppage. Additionally, ASUBEB and SEMB were owed over N4 billion in total.

Another major concern is the online verification process for civil service workers, which has sparked varied reactions. The Abia State NLC Chairman, Ogbonnaya Okoro, and Secretary, Emma Alozie, stated that the state government had withheld salaries for over seven months due to some workers not being verified. They criticized the repeated verification exercises imposed on workers, labeling them as an anti-worker policy.

Allegations of over 1,000 workers being reported in Abia also surfaced in the media. In response, the state government clarified that these actions were intended to identify and remove ghost workers, purging the civil service of individuals who were illegally on the government’s payroll.

Recently, there were allegations of salary deductions among civil servants in the state. However, the Governor clarified that these discrepancies were due to a shift from the 2018/2019 tax rates to the current tax rates used for salary deductions. This change was responsible for the differences observed.

Despite the Abia State Government's promise to be among the first to implement the new national minimum wage, it appears this commitment has not been fulfilled. While some Governors have expressed interest in paying the new minimum wage and others have already begun to do so, Abia has only set up a committee to look into it.

Earlier, the Abia State House of Assembly confirmed the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) Chairman, Prof. George Chima and other members of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission. The nomination of these individuals by the Governor himself Dr. Alex Otti is raising concerns among some, about whether the election will be fair, transparent, and all-inclusive.

Abia State has faced challenges in achieving progress at its 33rd anniversary, especially when compared to other states celebrating the same milestone. However, there is hope for improvement as long as effective policies that positively impact its citizens are implemented.

The state is on the path to making significant progress, provided that the right measures are taken to address current issues and foster development. With the right strategies and commitment to positive change, Abia State can work towards a more prosperous future.