LAYING THE ABIA GOVERNMENT HOUSE CONTROVERSY TO REST
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.
The new Abia Government House complex, Umuahia, which the immediate past governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, hurriedly commissioned on 28th May, 2023, the eve of his exit from power and purported to have bequeathed to the incoming administration of Dr. Alex Otti as a legacy project has been mired in controversies. Ikpeazu, in a colourful ceremony that had governors of the PDP-controlled States in attendance showcased the new Government House complex as a signature project that he was handing over to Otti who was to take the oath of office as governor the next day. They made a funfair out of it.
After the so-called commissioning exercise, the visiting governors and journalists were conducted around only the ground floor of the building. No one was allowed to visit the upper floors of the 4-storey complex. Revelations have since emerged that what Ikpeazu commissioned was an uncompleted structure with only the ground floor sparsely furnished. The remaining floors were at various stages of completion with some of the working materials of the workmen and artisans including scaffoldings littering the rooms. The compartments where lifts or elevators were meant to be installed are still empty.
Media findings at the new Government House complex clearly showed that the administration of Ikpeazu took the people of Abia State for a ride. It was the worst deception ever by a serving governor in Nigeria.
By commissioning and showcasing an uncompleted structure as a legacy project, the Ikpeazu administration proved itself as deceptive and insincere.
The spokesmen of that failed government have made several futile efforts to hoodwink the unsuspecting members of the public with tissues of lies contrary to the glaring realities on the ground. Apart from the fact that the complex is uncompleted and poorly constructed, its location exposes it to security challenges. The complex is completely surrounded by private residential buildings within the Ogurube Layout in Umuahia. It will be difficult for any governor to operate effectively from there as the governor and his household would be very vulnerable and may become targets for enemy attacks.
Governor Otti, is, therefore, justified in refusing to move into the complex.
The alternative would have been for Otti to operate from the old Government House in the Umuahia GRA which is still the seat of power in the State. But he met the place in a messy state. All items of value were reportedly looted by the officials of the Ikpeazu administration when it dawned on them that the game was over with the emergence of the Otti-led Labour Party as the new sheriff in town.
Offices and residential areas within the old Government House were stripped to the floor, including carpets. It was such a shameful display of gross larceny.
Faced by these terrible situations, Governor Otti was compelled to operate from his home in Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
The opposition has tried to make a fuss out of it, when actually it was their predatory attitude that forced the circumstance on the governor. It is, however, heartwarming to learn that the governor has taken a decision to rebuild and expand the old Government House and make it more befitting.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, in a statement over the weekend disclosed that works have commenced on the reconstruction of the old Government House. Kanu noted that the governor confirmed this development during a Sabbath service at the Unity Chapel within the Government House. The governor said that the work was delayed before now because his administration prioritized projects with direct impact on the lives of the people.
The governor had emphasized that workers` salaries, healthcare, basic education and critical infrastructure took precedence in line with his administration`s scale of preference approach. He noted that with so many pressing challenges already tackled, visible reconstruction efforts have now commenced. With this cheering development, the controversy on the Government House saga has been laid to rest; more so with the decision of the government to convert the new Government House complex into a 5-star hotel.
The contractors handling the reconstruction works should hasten their efforts and deliver on their mandate within a reasonable period so that the governor could move into the Government House in Umuahia and commence operations from there. This will make for a seamless functioning of all the structures of governance located in the State capital.
Governor Otti has demonstrated that he is an administrator who is guided by prudence in the management of scarce resources. His decision to focus on projects of high impact on the people in the areas of roads constructions, healthcare, education, pension and salary administration, agriculture, waste disposal, urban renewal and industrialization is highly commendable.
Now that he is giving attention to the rebuilding of the old Government House, expectations are high that in his usual style of excellence, he will give Abia a befitting Government House Complex that the people would be proud of.
Nevertheless, the governor should not hesitate to ensure that those found complicit in the looting of the Government House are brought to justice. We are aware that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry was set up to investigate and recover all stolen assets. We urge that the report should be made public and all those indicted should face the music.
May Abia continue to prevail!
Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com