Abiriba PDP Stakeholders Laud Ikpeazu's Strides On SME Dev, Infrastructure

.. Want Arochukwu/Ohafia house of rep slot ceded to community in 2023

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP stakeholders in Abiriba ancient kingdom of Abia State, have commended the efforts of Gov Okezie Ikpeazu on Small and Medium Enterprises, and infrastructural development.

They described Ikpeazu's recent award as the Governor of the Year on SME Development by the New Telegraph Newspaper; as well as the listing of Abia State as the third most preferred investment destination in Nigeria by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, as a confirmation of Ikpeazu's efforts in promoting SME.

The stakeholders also applauded the governor for his efforts in tackling insecurity, saying that Abia is the safest state in South East, a development they attributed to the governor's proactive strategies.

In a communique issued after their meeting yesterday at Ugwuezi Abiriba, the stakeholders also insisted that come 2023, the Arochukwu/Ohafia House of Representatives slot should be ceded to Abiriba in the spirit of justice and equity as other major clans from the constituency have taken their turn.

The communique read in part: "That we wish to restate our total confidence in the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, who has continued to improve the infrastructure stock of the state, provide security for our people, and promote small and medium scale enterprises in the state.

"Of particular note to us are the construction of Ugwuezi Road, Abiriba and Abiriba-Nkporo Road by Governor Ikpeazu as well as numerous other roads done by his administration in Aba that have further enabled our people to engage in their primary occupation of trade and commerce.

"The Forum firmly resolved that while we appreciate the good representation by Hon Uko Nkole so far, the Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal House of Representative position in 2023 is naturally zoned to Abiriba and we hereby encourage our brothers and sisters from other communities within the constituency to, in the spirit of fairness and equity, support, at the appropriate time, the emergence of an Abiriba born candidate as the party's flag-bearer."

The stakeholders who vowed to mobilize all unregistered eligible Abiriba voters home and abroad for massive voter registration ahead of the 2023 polls, commended the harmonious relationship among Abiriba people in government and their support to the state government.

They however, urged the state Ministry of Works to "urgently intervene and fix the dilapidated Ugwu Court Road in Abiriba as well as conclude the Abiriba Ring Road project to enable our people enjoy this Yuletide season without undue hardship and threat to motorists."

The forum also congratulated the Enachioken of Abiriba, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (IV) who was recently called to bar on his forthcoming 21st coronation as the paramount ruler of Abriba ancient kingdom.

Some of the signatories of the communique include the Leader of the Stakeholders forum,

Chief Mba Ukariwo; Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Chief John Okiyi Kalu; and the Ohafia Council Chairman, Dr Okorafor Ukiwe; and Hon. Princess Grace Agbara.