Abia Estate Agency will grow to greater heights under my watch – GM

Okechukwu Ndukwe is the general manager, Abia State Estate Development Agency (ABSEDA). In this interview with UDOKA AGWU in Umuahia, he talked about how the victory of Ikpeazu will fast-track further growth of the Agency, his message to losers and his commitment to staff welfare among others. Excerpts:

How will Ikpeazu’s victory motivate you to achieve more having been commended by his administration as one of the heads of government agencies/parastatals that are up to date in payment of workers’ salaries?

Well, without being told, his victory will really motivate me to go extra miles in taking the Abia State Estate Development Agency (ABSEDA) to greater heights because all along, the governor has been supportive of the agency. This time around, he will support us more since he has been appreciative of the happenings in the Agency which almost became moribund before the governor in his magnanimity appointed me in November 2017 to head the agency which is now lively. Moreover, since the governor is a performing executive, we his disciples should emulate him to take the state to another level of development.

In terms of prompt payment of staff salaries, it is a known axiom that a labourer deserves his wages at the end of the month. So, the onus lies on me, as the Head to ensure that staff welfare is given priority so that their morale will be high while performing their legitimate duties. For one to give priority to the welfare of his staff is self determination and the will to do so.

I will continue to prioritise payment of salaries and other welfare packages of workers in my Agency with a view to releasing the 2017/2018 promotion exercise coupled with consistent marathon training that will improve workers’ performance in the Agency. I therefore, urge them to always be punctual and dutiful at all times as well as eschew rancour and bitterness which is the bane to any organisational growth and development.

I hereby congratulate the Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, the people’s Senator, T. A. Orji, distinguished member representing Abia Central Senatorial district in the National Assembly and the indefatigable leader, Engr. Chinedum Orji (Ikuku Abia) member representing the good people of Umuahia Central State Constituency in the State House of Assembly for their victories at the polls which were divinely orchestrated by God because they are men of integrity and of good heart.

As the General Manager, I pledge my unalloyed loyalty and support to the governor at all times in moving the state forward through ABSEDA.

How do you feel about Governor Ikpeazu’s re-election?

I am really excited for what happened. What happened is destined by God. His re-election for a second term will enable him to complete the good works he has been doing and also embark on more to take Abia State to the next level of development. It has really shown the wishes and aspirations of Abians and also demonstrated the spirit of equity and fair play. The Abia North zone has taken their turn of eight years under Orji Uzor Kalu while the central got theirs through T.A. Orji. Equity demands that the south should also complete eight-year tenure.

What is your advice to those who lost in the governorship polls?

My advice to those who lost out at the just concluded elections particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah and Dr. Alex Otti, respectively is that they should accept the outcome of the results of the election. Politics is like a game of football match where at the end of ninety (90) minutes of play, one team must emerge the winner. I further advise them to accept and embrace the olive branch extended to them by the Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu. They should come together so as to cross-fertilize ideas and their wealth of experience and support him in building a strong, united, prosperous and all inclusive government that will foster the overall development of Abia State, the God’s Own State.

They should not indulge in unnecessary litigations that may derail the speedy development of the state.