The State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu says his administration is undoubtedly ready to accelerate development as an effective way of delivering dividends of democracy by aligning budgets with government priority programmes,projects and creating a framework for impact measurement and performance evaluation in the state.
Governor Ikpeazu disclosed this while speaking at the Abia State 2019 Executive Retreat for newly appointed Commissioners,Top Executives and Senoir Civil Servants in Aba said that he was spurred by the need for all key officials to understand the policy direction of the government in the next four years.
The Governor stated that Abians should expect accelerated work on the rehabilitation projects tagged Zero potholes programme including construction work on Obohia, Ngwa and Ohanku roads, completion of the Portharcourt road and the bringing back of the Faulks Road contractor to complete the final stage of the road stressing that his government is focused in realizing the 500km new roads by 2023.
The Chief Executive who revealed that he has strengthened every structure of governance in the state towards efficient service delivery urged the Participants to go through the orientation retreat to key into his visions on Education, Health, Agriculture, Energy, Trade and Investment as all the enablers in realizing these pillars are receiving due attention.
Like the Governor said at the Retreat.
” This is my second and final tenure as Governor. I shall do whatever it takes to leave lasting legacies for our people.I call you all Commissioners and other top officials of the State Government to join me on this historic journey. I also enjoin our people to be ready for critical reforms.The road may be bumpy but we are determined to stay on course and finish the race with our heads high and our people pleased with the efforts we have made”.
Speaking further,the Governor stated ” We must embark on reforms that will ensure that salaries and pensions of workers/retirees are respectively given priority attention”.
The Governor re emphasized his desire to complete all on going infrastructural projects in the state and challenged his team members to design measures and initiatives to make this happen through sealing of revenue leakages and shoring up our internal revenue.
Briefing journalists during the session, the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu disclosed that the State government’s determination in providing additional ten Cottage Industries specialized on cassava and palm fruits processing in the LGAs, mainstreaming cocoa production, continuous advocacy on the citizens, environmental sanitation ,culture and guide against revenue leakages which will be accelerated after the orientation of Executive members.
Chief Okiyi Kalu, however,restated that the essence of the orientation is to re-examine the activities of the state government in the past four years and improve in its service delivery and expressed confidence that the participants with the level of exposure are now poised to drive the visions of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in governance.
The 3days Executive Council Inaugural Retreat with the theme “Strengthening Governance for Accelerated Growth” has every political Appointee in attendance including the Deputy Governor – Sir Ude Okochukwu ,the SSG – Mr Chris Ezem and the only Commissioner that was later sworn in for the Ministry of Agriculture,Prof. Ikechi Mgbeoji.
Abiakam Gloria Ifeyinwa
FIC. Umuahia,Abia State
