DISTURBED that meaningful change may have eluded the capital since the creation of the state, a social cultural organisation, Umuahia Premier Club (UPC) has called on the state government to review the city's masterplan, and promote good governance.The group expressed concern that several projects launched by the present administration like the new modern market, road projects and housing schemes, which would have changed the face of the Umuahia, the state capital have remained a pipe dream.While commending Governor Theodore Orji for reducing the insecurity and incessant cases of kidnapping in Abia State, urged him not relent in its efforts to duties of protecting lives and property.The organisation's President, Chief Kamdi Ehighibe in a statement on the 6th induction ceremony planned for next week Saturday in Lagos, lamented that some communities in the state capital suffer so much infrastructure decay and experience most of erratic power supply in the whole of the South Eastern Nigeria while potable water has become a rare commodity and make the sale of borehole water a very lucrative business.He said the state should liaise with the Imo State government to resuscitate the water treatment plant in Umuopara, built by the late Sam Mbakwe. The UPC President said that the state government should also partner with its local governments to bring relief to communities, through opening of rural roads and tackling erosion menace. He said that meaningful rural development enhances living standard of the people and check urban drift.Chief Ehighibe urged the state government to establish industrial parks in the state capital and revive the Golden Guinea breweries, which has remained comatose. He said that the group is ready to assist in developing road map for industrialization of Umuahia and the entire state. He further stated that the group has established a scholarship scheme for indigent students in tertiary schools.The group advised Governor Orji to transform Umuahia to an enviable state capital, through the formation of traffic management authority to sanitise the city centre as motorists face hard time driving through some of the major streets. UPC said it's high time, the tricycles are properly managed and more taxi introduced to augment the transportation within the metropolis.On public infrastructure, the group said that some primary and secondary schools need renovations. The government should team up with the private sector, corporate organizations and World Bank to redevelop some of the dilapidated schools.The group used the medium to laud the Federal government for the re-appointment of the Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the minister of Finance, but observed the insignificant federal presence in Umuahia and lack of recognition of past leaders who made so much contribution and sacrifice for the country, such as Major gen J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi.Umuahia Premier Club was formed 22 years ago and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 1986. The club is a community-based organisation committed to the development of Umuahia communities, Abia State and at nation at large.
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