Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Victor-Ikpeazu, has stated the readiness of his administration to return Abia State as the economic hub of Nigeria where small and medium term entrepreneurs would be the pivot that will drive the economy. He fielded questions from journalists, including SAM OBINNA IBE in Umuahai

What have been your achievements since you were sworn in?

Our administration has achieved a lot within the first one month in office. Some of the achievements were informed by the global picture of the economy vis-à-vis the dwindling revenue of oil price. The way to focus our challenges on Abia economy is rested on five pillars such as: trade and commerce, education, oil and gas and of course agriculture. In this part of the world, we are very good traders who can market all our products even overseas.

We are endowed with oil in Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo. We have arable land that is fertile, therefore we cannot do away with agriculture. We have the manpower and we can do it very well. So with these, we can comfortably generate employment to our teeming youths. In the days ahead, we want to restructure our economy in a way that the small and medium scale businesses will be the economic hub of Nigeria. Abia, Aba in particular, is the capital of the small and medium scale businesses. The things we will do ahead will be able to determine the position Aba will play as the commercial nerve centre of the country.

Strategically, we are going to pursue this agenda, starting from upgrade of road infrastructure at Aba because it is the pivot that will drive our economic agenda on the days ahead. On our first day in office, we resumed by flagging off seven roads in Aba. As I speak, there are 21 roads across Abia State we are doing.

•Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State

We want you to speak on the salary arreas crisis in the state…

There seems to be confusion as to who is being owed or how much arrears for the civil servants. The regular civil servants from ministries have one month outstanding. Other parastatals, agencies or institutions like ABSU, Abia Poly, AbSUTH, are being owed three to four months, but I’am surprised that our institutions that are given subventions monthly cannot pay salaries. The head of all the institutions should know the total money they make from the school IGR and also how much each student pays. From there they should come to terms on how much government should give them as subvention. I don’t expect institutions to owe salaries; if the government reduces fee by say-10 per cent the subvention should increase by 10 per cent. But if the government increases by 10 per cent, the subvention should also be reduced so they should pay their workers.

Some people have complained about multiple taxation in the state. What is your reaction to that?

Multiple taxation should be a thing of the past. We have not authorized anybody to collect illegal tax; it is the Board of Internal Revenue that is saddled with the responsibility of collecting taxes and we have directed that all tax payers should directly pay into the coffers of the government through the government approved banks and government account numbers in order to seal up all leakages.

What about government’s policy on industrial clusters?

We are conceptualizing three Industrial clusters at Umuahia, Aba and Owaza respectively. Umuahia cluster will be Agro- allied cluster for farm and food products. Aba Industrial cluster will produce shoes, bags, garments and leathers e.t.c while Owaza Industrial city will be about oil. The state is endowed with oil deposits especially in that area. We are more naturally endowed in terms of gas than oil therefore we want to divert attention and draw attention of Nigerians to our rich and huge gas deposits. Between now and 18 months, our artisans, small and medium entrepreneurs from Aba, will be able to produce and provide military gears and NYSC booths, clothing they will wear up to the caps, we will be able to pursue it with all vigour.

We want you to speak on on illegal structures blocking the drainage system at Aba

Our policy is to remove and destroy illegal structures blocking the drainage system. All the shops erected between October till date will need to be revalidated. They are no shops yet because people seize the opportunity of the transition period to erect all kinds of shops

How do you feel about the matter at the tribunal now?

I do not know how to enjoy tribunal! I think it a normal process if people are not happy they have to go to the election petition tribunal to seek redress. Well I want to allow the tribunal to do their work. But I know they will do a good job. Iam not afraid of the judgment because I know I won the election and I expect the tribunal to uphold my victory. But I don’t like how some media houses, like one radio station in Umuahia, started pre-empting judgment. They should allow the tribunal to do their job before their judgment. So I want to advice media houses to do the job the way it is and not to misinform the general public.