The Illusion of Progress: A Wake-Up Call for Abians | #NwokeukwuMascot

 Opinion 

A Call for Inclusive Development and Economic Circulation in Abia by Obinna Oriaku | #NwokeukwuMascot 

This initiative isn’t just about vehicles; it’s about job creation and innovation. By exposing our mechanics to cutting-edge trends like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicle maintenance, we’re opening doors to the next frontier of motor engineering. Our people must take interest because in this emerging industry, the first-comer advantage will matter.

This is the kind of impactful project we should be discussing not just the routine patching of roads. In Enugu, for instance, the government is doing far more. They are strategic expanding both township and rural roads, awarding contracts to resident Enugu-based contractors, and deliberately constructing roads that lead to farm settlements and emerging cities. Some of these new roads are even nearing the Ebonyi boundary. That’s foresight.

But here in Abia, we are being deceived. I have refused to be counted among Nde Eloro Elo those who pretend not to see. What exactly is our government doing about job creation? Our strongholds SMEs, agriculture, trade, and investment have been abandoned. Apart from the Port Harcourt Road project, which I commend (though I worry about the flood management, considering the original drainage design was discarded), what else can we point to?

The consequences of this administration’s obsession with cutting ties from the past are becoming evident. I pray we don’t have another Nde Egoro crisis looming around the Uratta axis.

Just yesterday, I visited Umuahia, and it was disheartening. The town looked desolate overwhelmed by despair even with the billions that flow in monthly. Ironically, it feels worse than when workers were owed salaries. One wonders how businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, are managing to survive. I’m not romanticizing the past, but we were promised change and in other states, we can at least see some traction in sectors that were previously neglected.

Take Enugu again. On Easter Sunday, Kaycee, the musician, chose to move his show from Lagos to Enugu. It wasn’t by accident. It aligned with the city’s ongoing development agenda. The event was free, with a massive turnout a strategic move to revive the local entertainment industry. That’s how you spark economic velocity.

But in Abia? 99% of contractors handling major projects are non-Abians, and 97% of them don’t even reside in the state. Every Friday, Owerri Airport is flooded with briefcase contractors returning to Lagos or Abuja. That’s likely where they pay taxes, not Abia. Many don’t even maintain offices here.

So where is that velocity of money our Governor referenced? How does it benefit everyday Abians?

We know the origin stories of some of these companies. Ferotex, Willangey they were nurtured from Enugu. I remember processing their payments under Governor Sullivan’s administration when they were still finding their feet. That’s how you build local capacity. Craneburg Construction also rose through similar encouragement. When will this administration start grooming our own? But no they’ve completely abandoned that path, afraid of being linked to any local contractor. They must think we’re Olukus or Otondos.

Abia receives over N22 billion monthly. After salaries and pensions, how much of it actually circulates among residents? Very little. Those who benefit are afraid to spend, fearing even the act of buying a beer in public could be misinterpreted or punished. It’s all a carefully crafted illusion to fool the gullible into believing this administration is corruption-free. Nde Eloro Elo.

The government is so centralized that a single individual is responsible for every canopy installation, public address system, and even the Governor’s chair wherever he goes. Has anyone noticed it’s always the same set of seats? Does this mean there are no trusted Labour Party members in Arochukwu or Bende worthy of handling such basic logistics? What is the reward system for party loyalists? If not even chair rentals can be localized, what then is left?

And I feel deeply for my colleagues in the financial sector. Many bankers serving public institutions are on the verge of losing their jobs because every Kobo in Abia is now funneled through one specific bank, reportedly owned by someone close to power. All government business is routed through that bank, and getting in requires a letter of introduction from them. UBA and Union Bank are now just window dressing, used to mislead Nde Eloro Elo.

This government must find a way to ensure that public funds circulate among resident Abians through deliberate policies that empower local service providers and contractors. That’s the only way to grow the local economy sustainably, beyond private sector efforts.

Ironically, the very data boys I’m speaking up for will be the first to insult me. But they don’t realize the system doesn’t favour them either. That 80k a month isn’t taking anyone beyond “data boy” status.

You deserve more. Demand more. There are basic services like stationery supply, fuel logistics, event rentals that shouldn’t be outsourced to Sokoto while you sit here idly, resorting to insults.

I’ve also heard this affects the local governments. Most contracts are awarded directly from Umuahia. This is centralization pro max. Happy Easter, my people.

©️Ekwedike

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