The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is deeply concerned about the circulating video revealing the current state of the Abia Integrated Industrial Park (AIIP), which was previously launched amidst much fanfare on 30th of September 2023.
As a party, we are disturbed that, despite widespread media reports suggesting that Abia State is on the verge of joining the ranks of states with a functional seaport and modular refinery, the reality on ground at the project site in Owaza, Ukwa Local Government Area, is both disappointing and embarrassing. The trending video shows that the much trumpeted AIIP is still a mirage.
It is unfortunate that the Federal Government, relying on media narratives promoted by the Abia State Government, has been misled into believing that meaningful groundwork is underway to facilitate the takeoff of these critical projects. Nothing could be further from the truth.
We call on the Abia State Government to be transparent and sincere in its dealings with the people of Abia. Media propaganda and political showmanship will not magically transform the state or bring these projects to life.
Furthermore, we strongly urge the Abia State Government to desist from deceiving Abia APC high profile stakeholders into attending groundbreaking ceremonies for projects it has no real intention of executing. It is deeply concerning that Abia State Government continues to orchestrate these events merely to gain applause from prominent APC leaders, only to abandon the projects shortly thereafter.
What is even more troubling is the tendency to hold onto the accolades received from these events and present them as perpetual endorsements of the administration’s performance.
Abia State Government often brandishes these accolades as weapon of defense and blackmail against the Abia APC, whenever the party offers constructive criticism aimed at improving governance, particularly in areas such as transparency, accountability, inflated project costs, conflict of interest, lack of due process.