Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
History was made recently in Abia as the first ever interchange built by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration was commissioned. The project is located at the popular Osisioma junction on Aba-Owerri road. Hitherto the spot was characterized by perennial gridlock which on unfortunate days span into unholy hours of the night.
The project was conceived in 2015 and works began in 2017. Before now, the project was an object of caricature and was associated with demeaning innuendos such as “centre table”, ” swimming pool”, among others. Thank God that the project which pessimistic elements in the state thought would not see the light of the day has come to fruition.
The celebrations which would continue to pervade the nooks and crannies of the state for days to come should not only be centred on the fact that big weights in the nation’s political landscape such as the Governor of River State, Nyesom Wine graced the occasion, but that the Sanballaths and the Tobiases of Abia State politics have been put to shame that the project which they vowed not see the light of the day has come to stay, and for good.Like Gov. Ikpeazu aptly captured in his remarks that Sanballaths and Tobiases have been put to shame because the project that they vowed will never come to fruition has come to stay.
The question that is presently agitating the minds of well- meaning and discerning minds in Abia is” why would a section of Avians derive joy in constituting themselves into clog in the wheel of progress in the state?” This calls for a critical appraisal of the roles of Sanballath and Tobias in Neheiah’s rebuilding efforts. Just like Gov. Ikpeazu had faced mounting opposition in his rebuilding efforts, Sanballath and Tobias mounted serious opposition to Nehemiah’s efforts that he had to deploy men of shifts to guard the site to ensure that the rebuilding efforts were concluded.Hurray that the Osisioma interchange has been completed despite oppositions.
Osisioma interchange is the sure way to go. Before now, every Dick and Tom in Abia and beyond would testify that the popular Osisioma junction was a nightmare. There were volumes of negative accounts of how people who left the far North and SouthWest axes of the country hoping to hit their destinations in record time were stucked at the Osisioma gridlock.
But a Daniel has come to judgment as Gov Ikpeazu has preferred a lasting solution to this menace. Another relief the interchange offers which is worth celebrating is that the hitherto mad house is now experiencing ease of movement. The hitherto chaos recorded at the spot is now a thing of the past.
Already, a task has been constituted to check hawking and other forms of street trading within the environment. The onus now lies with the task force to ensure that the beauty and aesthetic the environment is designed to serve is not raped and defiled by elements who do not appreciate good works.
Negative situations abound where disgrace elements in the state have converted newly- constructed roads in the state, especially Aba, the commercial to mechanic workshops, drinking joints, among others. These attitudes most times highly defeat Gov Ikpeazu’s stride to uplift the aesthetic situation of Aba. It also compromise the integrity of these roads.
There is a clarion call to relevant agencies such as the State Environmental Agency, the State Orientation Agency to step up efforts to halt this ugly trend by mounting strong reorientation campaigns.
Abians let us help Gov Ikpeazu in his unrelenting efforts in rebuilding Abia State.
