By PETRUS OBI
I am not writing this piece because I want to praise Governor Dave Umahi. I am not writing to massage any ego or to undermine anyone.
I am writing because I was moved. Because I couldn’t believe that so much work has been done in Ebonyi State. It was way beyond my imagination.
I write because even an enemy to that Government must appreciate the Ebonyi transformation. It is better seen than imagined.
I must say that the efforts by Ebonyi Governors’ image makers can only throw some light on the infrastructural wonders of Engr. Dave. Umahi, it can never paint the correct pictures. One has to feel it to appreciate the wonders of this century in Ebonyi State.
Before now I was among those that agreed that Ebonyi State Governor, Engr Dave Umahi has done well as a governor. But, I must confess I never knew it was to this magnitude.
As someone who lived and worked in Ebonyi from 1997 to 2007. I had seen the transformation of Spera-in-deo; the Udensi/Kprirkpiri road roundabouts and some other beautification that the administration introduced.
I had also seen some roads and other laudable projects.
However, my recent trip to the State was more revealing than the picture or better put opinion I held about the infrastructural turnaround and the Umahi Magic in Ebonyi.
I was in Abakaliki to attend to some issues and as well see some pals after a long time. I was also billed to attend to my friend, RAS AMADIOHA INYA EGWU’s mother’s wake and burial, LATE MRS JOSEPHINE OGERI INYA NEE AMADI BURIED ON 10 DEC 2021 AT AMAINYIME OZIZZA AFIKPO NORTH.
The construction of the Nkalagu flyover and the dualization of the Abakaliki/Enugu highway would naturally strike any road user. But that is just work in progress and preparing one for the next wonder at Ezzamgbo junction.
It was a beautiful sight. And I had to convince myself that yes, this is Ezzamgbo junction and not Spera-in-deo.
The beautiful flyover has taken care of the old traffic situation; the madness of bus drivers and the general confusion that existed before the intervention.
As one approached Isieke, the permanent site of the Ebonyi State University, the atmosphere automatically changes welcoming you to the Ebonyi State Capital.
The wide dual carriageway with accompanying beautifications announces the beginning of the new Abakaliki. It stretches to join the new wonders at Spera-in-deo.
For those who didn’t know Abakaliki, Spera-in-deo used to be a gathering point for night crawlers, travellers, driver’s as well as prostitutes. It was notorious for all sorts of night activities. It was also a slum by every standard.
Today, it stands out as one of the most outstanding projects of today’s Nigeria. I stand to be faulted.
The Flyovers, the Glass Tunnel, Ecumenical Centre and world class Shopping Malls have made Spera-in-deo a tourist centre. It’s beauty is most appreciated at night because of the lighting and outdoor advert designs among other aesthetics.
Within my short runnings inside the Abakaliki capital, my friend with me urged me to drive through Gunning Road. I looked at him as though he wasn’t thinking well. ‘To pass through ‘Meat market’ at that time of the day? But to my surprise the market was gone giving the town more space to breathe.
I also drove through another Umahi Magic called the New Government House. I also passed through the International Market which is behind where I lived in Onogolu street.
I stopped on my track to make sure I wasn’t missing something. The entire street and adjoining ones were all tarred. Things are really happening in Ebonyi State, I told myself quietly.
Later that evening at about 7:pm we set out to Ozizza for the wake keep. One major observation was that throughout all the Council Areas we passed, including Afikpo, street lights were glowing.
The dualization of the Abakaliki/Afikpo expressway is another work in progress.
We also apssed through the entrance to the Ebonyi Airport project.
Then came the mother of all shocks. As I was driving on the Afikpo/Abakaliki expressway i saw another Flyover with heavy ligheing. Surely, I was approaching another town; but which town? It couldn’t be Afikpo.
It was Abomege. Before now, there were only Onueke and probably Nkwoagu on that route. But Umahi has created another town in Abomege with a well beautified flyover.
By the time I returned to Abakaliki the next day I had some time with some of my Journalist colleagues and I told them my experience and how surprised I was with my findings. But they started laughing.
They asked if I entered the New Government House but I said no. They asked if I went into the the airport, my answer was still in the negative. Because we just apssed the entrance on our way to Afikpo.
They further asked if I was at Uburu, the Governor’s hometown, I said no. They also wanted to know if I visited the Olympic Standard Stadium under construction. The questions about some of the projects I didn’t see were flying like pebbles.
They highlighted such projects as The School of Medical Sciences Uburu, the Uburu Flyovers, the School of Nursing and Midwifery, the Industrial clusters and the Special Science School Uburu.
They said if I visited any of these places and the New Government House, I should be planning to write a book.
Governor Dave Umahi have set a standard worthy of emulation. Even his enemies will agree that he has done marvelously well in infrastructure. He is surely outstanding.
Well done Your Excellency.