From: OKEY SAMPSON, Aba
Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has commended the high quality of Made-in-Aba goods, describing the city as ‘never been lacking in ideas’.
He also said Aba remains the home of Made in Nigeria products.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in Aba, where he had gone to commission some projects attracted by the member representing Aba North/Aba South in the House of Representatives, Hon Ossy Prestige, Dogara said if the right environment was in place, Aba would be the future of Nigeria in the area of trade and commerce.
According to the Speaker, “Aba has never been lacking in ideas, it is the home of made in Nigeria. If the right environment is put in place as the government is striving to do, Aba as the hub of Nigeria, will be the future of the country.”
Dogara spoke glowingly about the governor’s efforts in promoting made in Aba products, adding that the spirit of Aba is the spirit of Nigeria.
The Speaker, who was conferred with the chieftaincy title of “Ome Udo 1” (Peace maker) of Aba by the traditional ruler of Eziama Aba, HRM (Eze) Isaac Ikonne, said it was gladdening to note that Ikpeazu was returning Abia and Aba in particular to its lost glory.
Dogara commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his developmental strides in the state in the past two years and equally gave kudos to the member representing Aba North and Aba South in the green chambers, Hon Ossy Prestige for attracting numerous projects for his people.
Dogara described as a legislative friendly governor by appointing two immediate past members of the House from Abia into his cabinet and giving support to the current members.
Responding, Governor Ikpeazu while thanking the Speaker for the visit, commended him for being a strong stabilizing factor at the National Assembly.
Ikpeazu told the Speaker that his administration embarked on the reconstruction of about 80 roads and two bridges, stating that 30 of such roads had been completed, some of which are waiting commissioning.
The governor said his government pioneered cement technology in roads construction to ensure that the experiences of the past where roads build in the state did not last long are averted.
He said that government had shifted emphasis from made in Aba to make in Aba, stressing that with his administration’s drive, over 10 Chinese companies have indicated interest to invest in Abia and that they would be coming in soon.
The governor commended Ossy Prestige for partnering his administration in brining the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
Hon. Prestige was full of praises to the Speaker for visiting his constituency which he said will offer him the opportunity to have first- hand knowledge of the numerous problems facing his people.
He promised to put in more efforts to bring more dividends of democracy to his constituents who had not hidden their joy in his quality representation.
Highlights of the Speaker’s visit was the conferment of chieftaincy title of “Ume Udo1” of Aba by HRM (Eze) Isaac Ikonne and commissioning of some projects attracted by Prestige which include roads, free school buses, water projects, transformers, classroom block among others.