From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos
The Progressive Peoples Party (PPA) yesterday said the past seven years of administration of Governor Theodore Orji has set Abia state backward especially in terms of infrastructure.
The party said it is corroborating a statement made by Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC)’s Managing Director, Engr. Seyi Sijuade, at the inauguration of the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu Inter-city train service, that heaps of refuse in Aba had affected the efficient running of trains on the eastern rail line.
According to Engr Sijuwade, “The mountain of refuse in Aba, which is about five metres high, had buried some sections of the railway track which eventually lead to the total collapse of the No. 15 bridge of the rail track, preventing the smooth running of the locomotives in the region.”
Chairman Abia PPA, Emeka Okafor, in a statement, said: ” A tour of Aba will expose the bad leadership of the current administration. The governor and his so-called Abia elders have been running the state on mere propaganda without having anything tangible to validate their media claims. We use this opportunity to challenge the state governor to visit Aba without been heavily guarded with soldiers, if he is popular among the people.
The PPA Chairman noted that the remarks of the NRC boss is a testimony to the earlier comments of billionaire Chief Arthur Eze, who had at the 17th year celebration of creation of Abia State,described Aba as the dirtiest state in Nigeria.
