Ikpeazunomics, the New Economic Theory

Even the most fastidious critics, who hitherto, constituted themselves into the dubious opposition bloc of begrudging moaners are now happily converted to the OKEZUO change saga, not because of any inducement or gratification but by the breathtaking, focused, and sector related developmental strides of the Dr Okezie Ikpeazu administration, which in its wake, has been firing on all cylinders.

Ikpeazunomics – is the over girding economic mission statement that leverages on the capacity to convert the comparative advantages that God endowed Abia state, to competitive advantages. It’s article of faith, translated to thoughts, words and deeds ensures that the economy of Abia rests on strong pillars of trade, commerce, small and medium scale enterprises, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing.

The centrality of Aba the ENYIMBA city constitutes one of the core components of Ikpeazunomics. If you look at Aba for example, it is at the concourse of about seven other cities in the South-East and South-South. It is about 30 minutes drive to Ikot Ekpene, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Umuahia among others. This middle of the road, pivotal positioning acts as a pull to a corporate mosaic of businesses, and persons making it the heartthrob of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial excellence.

Enter Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, erstwhile University don,ex- refuse disposal and management expert, at ASEPA and now the Executive Governor, Abia state and a human dynamo who legged-up the entire vision from the drawing board to fruition. For starters, decayed and decrepit infrastructures he had to replace with top of the range facilities. If his vision to invigorate trade would come to a fruition government must intervene in terms of providing a healthy operative environment.

And this Ikpeazu embarked, with a missionary zeal. Samplers: Ibere, Ozuomba, Ohazu, Urratta, Faulks roads are all strategic to the development of Aba. The Ibere road cross cuts to Port Harcourt in Rivers State. Frequent travelers from the riverine state to Aba to do business are enamored with the decision to construct this road, which will mitigate the traffic at the point of entry into Abia State from the Ariaria Junction axis.

 Another road central to the opening up of Abia is the Umuobiakwa- Owoahiafor- Onitcha-Ngwa road-another gateway to the Aba-Ikot Ekpene highway: that will shorten the travelling duration to Uyo. There will be no need to go to Aba to connect this highway.

During the period under review over 60 roads, have been completed by the administration of Governor Ikpeazu in Aba and other parts of the State. They are the Owerri Road done using the cement concrete technology, Umuola Road, Ommne drive, Kamalu Road, East Street, Park Road, Pound Road, St Michaels Road, Adazi Street, Ube Road, George’s Street, Eastern Union Road, Umuocham Road, Umuimo Road, Kaduna Street, and Niger Street. While the Umule Road, Ochefu Road, Emelogu Road, Milverton Avenue and Yorks Street are nearing completion, the Omuma Road, Old Express Road (which is being dualized), Ngwa Road East end, Jubilee Road, Hospital Road, Eziukwu Road, Ukaegbu Road, Ehi Road, Udegbala Road, Weeks Road, Ehere Road, Umuobiakwa-Owoahiafor/Onitsha Ngwa Road, Itukpa-Osaa/Ohuru-Nkwowelechi Junction, Aba-Obikabia Road, Isiukwuato Road, World Bank Road network, Ururuka Road (dualization) are all under construction.

The upshot of all these, is the renaissance of Aba, as the movement of goods, services, men and materials, cross border traders, investors, industry captains have been cascading on Aba like the Niagara Falls. A development that has not escaped the attention of the diplomatic community in Nigeria.

The Ambassador, Democratic Republic of Korea on hearing so many good stories from Abia State, came visiting with his legation to exploit the potentials latent in Abia. In a chat with the Korean Ambassador, the Governor emphasized the willingness of the Abia State Government to collaborate with the Koreans on technology, infrastructural development and human capacity. Coming on the heels of Koreans was the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Harry Purnanto.

The main business of the envoy was to explore areas of partnership between his country and the Aba shoe and fashion industry. Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu expressed interest in partnering with the Indonesians in various sectors of the economy. Welcoming the Ambassador who was in Abia for a 2 day working visit, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu thanked him for the keen interest taken in Abia and congratulated Indonesia on deploying her humongous population in driving its economy.

The Abia head honcho commended the Indonesians for their niche exports especially drugs. He went on to apprise the envoy on many potential areas of joint ventures between Abia and Indonesia . Governor Ikpeazu showcased shoes made manually locally, and made overtures for collaboration with partners to automate the footwear sector.

Today the global village has put Abia on notice. Cross border inquiries are been captured by the one stop investment shop set up by the Governor. Under his watch hitherto moribund industries like GOLDEN GUINEAS breweries is roaring back to life. IKPEAZUNOMICS is it.

Chinyemike Torti is a management consultant and public policy analyst