By Ferdinand Ekeoma
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, on Wednesday November 21, visited the popular Nkwo Ngwa market in Obohia part of Aba, to sympathize with victims of the inferno that razed down a section of the market.
Interacting with Otti and his team, spokespersons of the traders narrated the magnitude of sorrow and hardship which the tragedy brought to them, and regretted that nothing was saved in the market because the road had collapsed and inaccessible, hence the inability of fighter fighters to render any help.
They called on Otti and his team to assist the traders in ameliorating their sufferings.
In his response, Dr. Otti, who was besieged by the devastated traders, regretted the misfortune that befell them and destroyed their sources of livelihood, but expressed joy that no life was lost.
He agreed with the traders that if the roads were good, the impact of the inferno would not have been much, and told the traders that it is not only Nkwo Ngwa that is suffering the effect of bad road courtesy of bad government, but different parts of Aba and Abia as a whole.
Otti admitted that Aba people and Abians in general have suffered more than enough in the hands of insensitive leaders, and enjoined them to be strong, assuring that their years of suffering must be brought to an end in 2019.
He used the opportunity to explain to them that the votes they cast in 2015 were effectively protected, and that it was when the election thieves didn’t have their way to steal the votes cast by the people that former governor and other invaders wrote fake results in Osisioma and Obingwa and forced on the State Returning Officer. He assured them that there would be no room for such acts of brigandage in 2019.
He also warned them against falling prey to the anti-people tricks of the Abia political undertakers who are already purchasing PVCs from poor and vulnerable Abians, insisting that selling one’s PVC at any cost amounts to endorsement of the political slavery going on in Abia.
Dr. Otti promised the traders amid cheers of relief that he would rebuild the burnt section of the market immediately, and directed the Abia House of Assembly member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Abraham Oba, to liaise with the leadership of the market to ensure quick action in that respect.
From the market, Dr. Otti proceeded to the palace of the Traditional Ruler of the area, HRH Eze Barr. I.I Nnakwu, the Ohazuru Mee II of Etiti Ohazu Autonomous Community to commiserate with him on the fire incident, as well on the outbreak of epidemics in his kingdom.
Welcoming Otti and his team, Eze Nnakwu narrated the harrowing experiences of his subjects due to collapse in infrastructure, explaining that the people of the area have not seen good road for close to two decades.
He informed his visitors that the epidemics presently ravaging the area was as a result of environmental decay and deterioration, and regretted that successive governments have treated the people of Aba Na Ohazu with inexplicable disdain, and urged Dr. Otti and his team to come to their rescue.
Dr. Otti explained to the Eze that he and his team came to sympathize with him and his subjects over the fire incident that affected Nkwo Ngwa market, and that he had already taken measures to ensure that the market would be rebuilt.
Otti agreed with the Royal father concerning the state of infrastructure in the area which equally made the road to his palace inaccessible, and stated that it is a miracle that human beings live and survive in such unhygienic environment. He further stated that even the standing section of the market is in a dilapidated state, and assured the Traditional Ruler that their nightmarish experience as a result of infrastructural decay would become a thing of the past by 2019.
He also informed the Eze that the APGA Senatorial candidate for Abia South, who came in late in the course of the interaction due to bad road, will also be part of the market reconstruction project.
The APGA Deputy governorship candidate, Dr. (Mrs) Uche Eme Uche stated that as a mother, she understood what mothers in the area would be battling with in ensuring that their children were safe in the face of the epidemics outbreak, and made a pledge which have since been redeemed on behalf of Mrs. Priscilla Alex Otti, to assist the women through the wife of the Traditional Ruler, Ugoeze Nnakwu ameliorate the challenge posed by the epidemics outbreak.
Otti was accompanied on the visit by his running mate, Dr. Mrs. Uche Eme Uche, the APGA Senatorial Candidate for Abia South, Chief Sir. Chris Nkwonta. The federal House of Representatives member, representing Aba North and South at the National Assembly Hon. Ossy Prestige who had earlier visited the market was represented by his DG, Hon. Ezikpe Okiyi, the APGA House of Assembly Candidate for Aba Central Hon. Abraham Oba, that of Aba North Destiny Nwagwu, and South, Ichita.
Leaders of APGA, stakeholders, supporters and hundreds of men and women of Aba residents trooped out end mass in solidarity, to be part of the visit.