LET'S LEARN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES' GAME PLANS FOR ANAMBRA STATE
Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D.
“This particular sub-head reads: "It is wasteful, confusing and deplorable that newly constructed or rehabilitated roads become waterlogged, dilapidated and unpassable within a few months of their construction or rehabilitation. My administration will build more anti-erosion roads of the "Ngige Quality" in the State" ………..
……. Infrastructural Development and Anti-Erosion Roads. There will be massive Construction and Renovation of Major and Arterial Roads in the State in the "Ngige Gold Standard Quality" form. Intra and inter Local Government Area roads will be rehabilitated and new ones constructed in the same "Ngige Gold Standard Quality" to help in the fight against erosion and to help ease the movement of people, goods and services in the State. New Modern Markets, Recreational and Sports Arenas...." etc
Okenwa knows that I am involved in the plans of the new Ngige Administration, and having heard my take on the devastation of erosion on our environment here on ground zero long before now, he should have known that I will make a good case in Ngige's Plans for the environment and other significant items such as need for Local Government election.” - Chibuzor O. Obiakor (Senator Chris Ngige Campaign Organization)
Chibuzor,
I must first express my excitement in noting that one of the leading gubernatorial candidates, according to you, has bothered to provide a meaningful discussion regarding matters that relate to environmental husbandry as part of the campaign manifesto for the November 16th election. Perhaps, greater effort ought to be made to share the specific contents of rival candidates’ manifestoes instead of the brickbats that are being hauled by entrenched supporters of the leading contestants. If your principal is indeed serious about making environmental agenda a key plank in his pledge to the Anambra electorate, he ought to have been more vocal about it. Mere referring potential voters or opinion leaders to obscure pages of a written manifesto that many have not seen is hardly the best way to gain traction for candidates’ imaginary ideas for improving the people’s lot. Furthermore, this campaign period is the best time to unfurl specifics of any candidate’s ideas, not after the victory is secured as you tend to imply in your post.
Please, help me here to better understand what you are attempting to get across. What is "Ngige Gold Standard Quality" road in specific terms? My feel is that you meant to imply that the roads built by Dr. Ngige during his earlier stint as governor was constructed with quality outcome and thus durability in mind. Are there specific examples today that can be used to corroborate your assertion? Mentioning such examples shall greatly enhance the credibility of your claim going forward.
As an aside, I must mention that any road, no matter how well it is initially built, is still vulnerable to the forces of degradation and ruination unless there is well established maintenance regime to keep the heavily used thoroughfare from succumbing to the wear and tear of regular traffic. Mention of building quality roads is fine. But what of a functional maintenance protocol for these “quality” roads once commissioned? This makes even greater sense, if you ask me. Many more roads were built by Ngige’s successor. The question must then be how are they holding up? Comparisons and contrasts can make your audience to better get the gist regarding your principal’s leadership approach and antecedents and how they stand ahead from the rest.
As a leading WIEF protagonist, I can vouch that your principal, during his truncated earlierr reign, made some serious overtures toward assuring proper environmental management than his successor. But his successor has done his entire 2-term tenure and is now headed for the exit. Governor Peter Obi scrapped the Anambra State Environmental and Sanitation Protection Agency (ANSEPA) when he came in to replace Ngige in 2006. Do you know what could have informed this bizarre judgmental call? What does gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ngige, think about the rusticated ANSEPA? Is he promising to revive the agency if elected? And the list goes on …, my brother. Let’s hear specifics if they, at all, exist. This stage of the ongoing campaign is the time to separate wheat from chaff, as the saying goes. If other candidates have better environment-sensitive packages for Ndi Anambra, this is the right time for them to also lay them out before we the people.
It is my personal view that politicians who lack the basic knowhow about environmental husbandry are plain daft and thus unfit to aspire to lead Ndi Anambra in any category; not to mention as the state’s Chief Executive.
Okenwa.
From: chibuzor101 <chibu...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Fri, Oct 11, 2013 7:25 pm
Subject: [AnambraForum] Chibuzor Obiakor to Okenwa Nwosu on Candidate's Position on Transportation Infrastructure
"Now, here is the question of the day. Have you or anyone else in these forums ever heard any of the leading gubernatorial candidates or their boisterous henchmen utter even a single word about how the transportation infrastructure, woodlands and agricultural lands in Anambra state shall be managed and protected from the ruinous forces of erosion and degradation by floods if they succeed in the forthcoming elections? If you have heard any mention of such by anyone, kindly share such with the rest of us" ... Dr. Okenwa Nwosu.
The answer to Dr. Okenwa Nwosu's question is, Yes; there is a Candidate who has! Senator Chris Ngige has a plan for Transportation Infrastructure in Anambra State. This is articulated in his Manifesto where "TRANSPORTATION" is item 4 in his "Twelve Point Agenda Ka Onwa Ga Eji Tie Ozo"
The item says: "No economy would develop and sustain itself without a good and reliable transportation system. As a landlocked state, Anambra State needs optimum transportation system for intra and inter-state movement of goods and services"
The sub-heads of this item 4 reads include: "Anambra State Airport by December 2014; Inland Waterways Transport System; Anambra State Mono Rail Transport System to connect the major towns of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi; The Ngige Gold Standard of Roads" This particular sub-head reads: "It is wasteful, confusing and deplorable that newly constructed or rehabilitated roads become waterlogged, dilapidated and unpassable within a few months of their construction or rehabilitation. My administration will build more anti-erosion roads of the "Ngige Quality" in the State"
The section of the Enugu-Onitsha Express Road depicted in the original piece is the Unizik Junction in Awka. The picture does not do justice to the actual situation there. The picture shows Enugu bound stretch of the road. Just about 10 yards in the other direction, i.e, towards Onitsha, is a sight to behold in a Capital City of 22 years! From there for about one half of a kilometre is Kwata Junction. This stretch is as bad as the stretch between Aroma Junction and Government House on the same road. It is disgraceful that we have this in our home State's capital. One needs to change the shocks of your vehicle every 3 months if you travel this stretch of road regularly.
And yes, to Ochie's question, everyone that works in the Government House passes through there.
Item 11 in the Senator Ngige Manifesto is "INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT" This item reads in part "Our State Capital Territory. Awka is the only State Capital in Nigeria that in the words of former Minister of Education and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, looks like a "Village Capital"
It is on record that Awka is the only State Capital in Nigeria without a single functional Traffic Light. The sewage system in Awka is decrepit; the inner streets are in a mess; there is no water supply, the Expressway passing through Awka, and that is the gateway into and from our State is a horrible sight and death trap, including the site of the accident that crippled Professor Chinua Achebe.
The list goes on. Infrastructural Development and Anti-Erosion Roads. There will be massive Construction and Renovation of Major and Arterial Roads in the State in the "Ngige Gold Standard Quality" form. Intra and inter Local Government Area roads will be rehabilitated and new ones constructed in the same "Ngige Gold Standard Quality" to help in the fight against erosion and to help ease the movement of people, goods and services in the State. New Modern Markets, Recreational and Sports Arenas...." etc
Okenwa knows that I am involved in the plans of the new Ngige Administration, and having heard my take on the devastation of erosion on our environment here on ground zero long before now, he should have known that I will make a good case in Ngige's Plans for the environment and other significant items such as need for Local Government election.
Let Ngige win, and Anambra will be elevated. The catch phrases are that: Onwa Ga Eti Ozo and Experience Counts.
What we challenge INEC to do is to ensure a free and fair election. Let the people vote and let the votes count. We are confident that Ndi Anambra now know the difference between governance by propaganda and real use of government to lift the lives of the people.
Chibuzor O. Obiakor,
Deputy Director General,
Senator Chris Ngige Campaign Organization. Onitsha
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
-----Original Message-----
From: Okenwa R. Nwosu, M.D. <okenw...@yahoo.com>
To: Nigerian Patriots' Forum <naij...@googlegroups.com>; asa-usa <asa...@yahoogroups.com>; AnambraForum <Anambr...@yahoogroups.com>; 'IDU USA' <idu...@googlegroups.com>; igbo_forum <igbo_...@yahoogroups.com>; IgboEvents <IgboE...@yahoogroups.com>; neec-committee <neec-co...@googlegroups.com>; NaijaPolitics <NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>; NAIJA OBSERVER <NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com>; WorldIgboCongress <WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com>; wief <wi...@googlegroups.com>; Zik Project <zikpr...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Oct 11, 2013 7:39 am
Subject: [neec-committee] FW: [WorldIgboCongress] AWKA 8 YEARS OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION
Ken,
The segment of road in question is the portion of Onitsha-Enugu federal expressway that passes through Awka. As the partisan gladiators jostle over who to credit or blame for the tardy development of Anambra capital city, the leading drawback in developing the entire state and indeed most parts of the Southeast, which is widespread devastation by uncontrolled erosion and poor maintenance culture, is being overlooked. From the look of things, the main thoroughfare in this section of Awka may not survive the ongoing deluge of this year’s rainy-season finale. Take another look at the encircled area. Storm water has already completely gouged the road shoulder on the left as it barrels across the roadway to repeat the same thing on the other side. Don’t ever be surprised that a sustained downpour for a two or three-day period can result in complete severance of this sole dual carriageway that traverses Awka.
Now, here is the question of the day. Have you or anyone else in these forums ever heard any of the leading gubernatorial candidates or their boisterous henchmen utter even a single word about how the transportation infrastructure, woodlands and agricultural lands in Anambra state shall be managed and protected from the ruinous forces of erosion and degradation by floods if they succeed in the forthcoming elections? If you have heard any mention of such by anyone, kindly share such with the rest of us.
The gospel truth is that the status quo is untenable in most parts of Anambra state as this random photo clearly depicts. Elections are supposed to provide the electorate with the unique opportunity to affirm the good and change the bad and undesirable. It appears as if the ongoing electoral contest is being waged between the blind and the deaf; they see or hear no evil anywhere they turn. All they are obsessed with is the dream of winning the privilege to control the purse strings of Anambra state coffers come March 2014 and little else. The political candidates’ drumbeaters and town criers appear to be engaged in the campaign fray for the fun of it. They too come across as deaf and blind to the real issues that really impede the socioeconomic advancement of the average Anambra resident. For these folks, the end justifies the means; winning, by whatever means, is all that counts.
In the near future, I shall take the time to revisit the ongoing lackluster campaign to gain control of governorship of Anambra state. The truth is that, if indeed Awka is relatively undeveloped as the photo portends, then rest of the rest is in the same boat.
Okenwa.
From: WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ken Okorie
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 1:28 AM
To: WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WorldIgboCongress] AWKA 8 YEARS OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION
That's not the impression I have of the Obi administration, given all that have been posted on these forums. But, like Ndi Anambra would say, a si na ihe n'ato uto asi o n'ato ka gini? I would settle for just a few streets in Owerri (Imo Capital) being this clean.......not to talk of Aba!!
Ken
On Oct 11, 2013, at 12:23 AM, loya eziokwu <zuz...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Brother Ken,
I kid you not. This may be the best part of Awka. My last stay was in September. Anybody with better picture should post it now of forever hold their peace.
Loya Eziokwu
From: Ken Okorie <kaycee....@gmail.com>
To: WorldIgb...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, October 11, 2013 12:14 AM
Subject: Re: [WorldIgboCongress] AWKA 8 YEARS OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION
Charles:
Am just curious. Is this the way it is throughout Awka, most of Awka, or are fewer areas in this category
Ken
On Oct 11, 2013, at 12:10 AM, loya eziokwu <zuz...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
This is Awka Capital after 8 years of the current administration. For continuity, vote the same government for 3rd term. For change, then vote for change. The choice is yours! God Bless and Guide Anambra.
Like · [Comment] · Share · 12 hours ago · Edited ·
- 3 people like this.
Felix Oti Nwachukwu must be eating from the table somehow. Related oga at the top
10 hours ago via mobile · Like
Nwachukwu Ugochukwu Like I said in Ikenna's previous post, "The truth is that everything cannot be covered and new ones has been built. They will spend some time before rebuilding old ones. That why continuity is better. No one wants to rehabilitate roads. They want to build new ones and a few old ones."
Martin Chidozie Iloh I ask Ikenna: Was this road like this during the illegal administration of Dr Chris Ngige? I need a straight answer. I think you're not helping Dr Ngige in his campaign. You have just indicted Dr Ngige. Why? Because he couldn't touch on any federal road during his ILLEGAL occupation of Govt House at Awka.
Emmanuel Ojukwu Awka is shame of a city. Nothing much has really changed
