Expect more in my 2nd term, Ikpeazu tells Abians
* Promises to create 1m new jobs, deliver Enyimba economic city
By Steve Oko
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has told the people of the state to expect more democracy dividends in his second tenure.
Ikpeazu who gave the assurance after he was sworn in for a second term in office, Wednesday in Umuahia, said he would create 1 million new jobs in the state.
The Governor was sworn in along with his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Onuoha Ogwe at the Umuahia Township Stadium amidst cheers by a team of supporters.
The Governor also said the major focus of his new administration would be the completion of all projects initiated in his first tenure.
His words :”The primary focus of our administration for the next four years will be consolidating on the achievements of our first tenure, completing all our ongoing projects and creating avenues for our teeming youths to have jobs and be self-sufficient.
“We are poised to create over One Million jobs before our tenure is over. Our administration is a trans-generational one. We will meet the needs of today while ensuring we lay solid foundations for the tomorrow of our children.
“We will continue to run on our five pillars of Development and their Enablers and they will remain our guiding principle for our policy formulations and plans going forward.
“Let me also pledge that we will complete all projects that we started before our tenure ends in addition to all the new projects we are determined to execute this 2nd term.
“We will touch places we are yet to touch and directly or indirectly, substantial communities in Abia State will feel the presence of our administration before the end of our 2nd tenure.”
Ikpeazu vowed to deliver the Enyimba Economic City in his second term, a project, he noted was very dear to his heart.
“Ndi Abia, you have heard me talk over the past few months about the Enyimba Economic City. This will be the legacy of our administration. Our flagship project.
“The signpost of the size of our vision. Enyimba Economic City is spread over 9,800 Hectres of massive Industrial Area spanning 3 LGAs of Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.”
According to him, over 650,000 jobs will be generated by the project which he said, was already enjoying the full support of the federal government.
He disclosed that the federal government had already committed N100 billion in the project.
“650,000 jobs will be created, 300,000 units of urban housing will be built, 1.5M people will live and work there, 2,000 industrial/business units will be established there and an annual value output of $5B will be realized in the city.
“The pointer to the value of this project is that the Federal Government of Nigeria has invested into it by taking 20% equity worth N100B.
“The ripple effect of that project on the rest of Abia State is better imagined. This project will succeed. This is my pledge to Ndi Abia.”
He commended President Muhammadu ; and former Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah for their supportive roles in facilitating the project.
Ikpeazu identified promotion of made-in-Aba products and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises as some of the legacy achievements of his first outing.
“We are now respected and appreciated as the SME Capital of Nigeria and even beyond as we have taken our advocacy to other African and Western Countries and they have all taken note.
“The World bank is collaborating with Abia State in the area of Water, Sanitation and Rural Infrastructure. This added impetus will begin to yield fruits before the end of 2019 and our people will be better for it. Even in Foreign Direct Investments, Aba and Abia State is the new prime destination.”
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