UMUAHIA- Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has restated the determination of his government to ensure that daredevil kidnappers never returned to Aba and indeed the God’s Own State in general, affirming that, “we are fully prepared for them”.
Governor Orji noted that it was because the government fought criminals, especially kidnappers out of the state that roads and other developments were being witnessed in the state.
The governor gave this assurance in Aba, Monday, during the commissioning of seven out of the 16 roads he flagged-off in December.
He said that if the kidnappers were still terrorizing people in the state, the roads would not have been completed.
Casting his mind back on the bad state of Aba, both in security and the infrastructures before now, the governor assured that better days were waiting for the Aba residents. He however urged them to always pay their taxes to enable the government do more.
While calling on the people to pay their taxes, the governor announced that the state has introduced a single tax regime as against the old system whereby all manner of people demand different taxes from the residents, most of which ended up in private pockets.
“We have introduced single tax regime. We are not happy with double taxation. Pay your tax and leave the rest for me. My job is to give you conducive environment and ensure that you are comfortable”, governor Orji said.
“First, we have to thank God who helped us to fight kidnappers. If they were still here, we would not have done these roads and other things we are doing in Aba. When I came here in 2010, Aba people all fled. But
today everybody is back. We have flagged-off 16 roads and we have done 10 roads under two months.
“I want Aba people to believe in government that tells you the truth, my yes is my yes and my no is my no. when we say we will do something we will do it. I never told Aba people that I will do work on all Aba roads. I told you that will work on some roads.
“Any politician who tells you that he will build all the roads in Aba is not sincere because it is not possible. We are bringing new things in Aba”, Orji said.
Referring to abuses and hostile environment Aba people induced by the opposition used to show him, the governor said he was sure that the people would sing his praises by the time he was done with his development projects in the state.
“This is a working government. I am not interested in praises but I know that I will be celebrated. Mbakwe who is being celebrated today was stone but later celebrated. I know that we will be celebrated. I gave out 16 roads and in two months we finished 10 and very soon we will complete the rest”, Orji said.
He advised Aba residents to stop believing in rumours and gossip, “always verify and see things for yourselves. Go to Nigerian Breweries, it is expanding and it is expanding because the state is secured”.
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