An elder of the Ndoki clan in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia, Dr. Tom Otuka has said that the political union between the Ukwa and Ngwa clans in Abia South Senatorial Zone called Ukwa-Ngwa is a fake union that has done Ukwa people no good.
Otuka, a renowned surgeon and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Government has inflicted heavy pains and marginalization on Ndoki people using a fake political union called Ukwa-Ngwa.
He said that although when an Ngwa man wants power, he uses Ukwa-Ngwa to hoodwink Ukwa man, as soon as he succeeds he dumps the Ukwa-Ngwa title and pick the new name “Oha-Ngwa” or Ngwa Bu Otu.”
He said that he was shocked to discover during his interactions and discussions with almost all the stakeholders in Ukwa East that they all had one thing in common: Frustration; anger, agitation and desire for a change of the current system in Abia.
Otuka who spoke during the presentation of APC stakeholders in Ukwa East said that upon all the more than twenty roads approved to be constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated in Abia State last year 2021, none was captured in Ukwa East such as Obohia-Ohuru-Aba Road, Ohanku/Owerri-Aba Road, Azumini-Akirika Road, talk more of Akwette-Obehie Road, which is a death trap and is acclaimed federal road.
“This clearly shows that Ukwa-East is not in the geographical map of Abia State as they are cut off from all access roads. The Bush and Appian ways do not only pose security risk to Ndoki people but has also raked havoc or damaged all available commuters like Okadas, Kekes, Buses, Taxis etc.
“It is pathetic, strange, unheard of and criminal, that in this electronic computer age of the 21st Century that Ukwa-East has not known what is called NEPA (electricity) for more than 12 years. Many teenagers don’t know what is called electricity and this has drastically affected the economic and social activities and retarded the growth and development as most small scale businesses have collapsed and more about to follow suit due to exorbitant cost of running alternative power supply.”
Otuka said that there is no existing Government infrastructure, no higher education institutions even their off-campuses, no functional Government health institutions, no banks or Markets.
“The only Government employing agents is the local Government, whose workers like Civil Servants and Teachers are owed years of salaries arrears, pension, or gratuities. Unemployment or teeming jobless youths is at its peak with no solution in sight.
“The only thriving enterprise in Ukwa-East is the Faith-Base Sector (Church Business) which is the only consolation for the poor masses and the downtrodden who are believing and looking up to heaven (paradise) as their home to enjoy what the PDP led Government has denied them for the past 24 years.”
Otuka said that come 2023, APC under the leadership of Chief Ikechi Emenike has the opportunity to rescue Abia from her shackles and said that Ndoki people will therefore make some innocuous demands which include:
“To revitalize the multi-billion moribund agro-based Abia palm at Ohambele village by partnering with core investors from Malaysia as bye products from there can create many employment opportunities.
“Make Azumini Blue River a tourist hub by sitting Abia Airport there which will attract many investors and businessmen and women and op n Ndoki land to the outside world, as International airports are not built on dead ends.
“Site glass industry at Azumini since the natural raw material Silica is domiciled there, as Dangote built cement industry in Obajana in Kogi State and Nkalagu Cement at Ebonyi State where gypsum, the raw material for cement we’re discovered in large quantities.
“Dredge and develop Ubeaku Sea Port, which will boost economic activities as Cargo Ships will birth there being only about 15 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean, instead of Ntigha Dry Port project which apart from being dead on arrival, was a ploy by the PDP led Government to castrate/strangulate Ukwa East Economic Development. An uncomfortable marriage between Jonah and whales.”
