28/01/2026
*Kalu Developed Abia State, His Roads are Strong and Visible Till Date - Cleric.
By Rev. Chucks Alonzie
During the first tenure of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (1999 - 2003) Umuahia, capital of Abia State was a glorified city.
Please, note that I am from Umuahia, so, you don't think I live abroad. My Father and Mother are both from Umuahia. All my grandparents are from Umuahia, no mixed blood, it's pure Umuahia blood from the three major clans that made up Umuahia. So, if you are not from Umuahia, you can't be more Umuahian than myself.
The Roads done by FFN Construction company during Dee Sam Mbakwe regime were major roads not streets. Okigwe road, Niger road, Enugu road, Aba road and Azikiwe road to mention but a few. Most importantly, then, the canals and drainages that helped save erosion at the capital city, Umuahia were done by Orji Kalu's administration.
Governor Orji Uzor Kalu embarked on urban renewal, constructed roads, both covering what is known as Over Rail and New Layout. Such roads covered; Ekwuruke street, Obowo street, Cameroon street, Oboro street, Oji River street, Afara street, Ogbulafor street Uwalaka street, Orlu street and Igbere street.
Most major streets in Umuahia at the inception of Governor Orji Uzor Kalu were muddy, full of red soil, every house on these streets suffered a dusty atmosphere and wasn't environmentally friendly . Governor Orji Uzor Kalu relieved the residents of Umuahia much pain by ensuring that everywhere was tarred and he didn't make noise about it.
Majority of the roads done from 1999 - 2003 are still very strong till date. He did so many roads at Aba also and rural roads across the State. President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR christened him "ACTION GOVERNOR" during his first official visit to Abia State.
No Government can come out and want to make people believe they built the state and others did nothing, this current propaganda is not sustainable and very soon they will be out of circulation, they will only be referred to duly and accordingly. It's so insensitive for a government to claim that its predecessors didn't do anything at all.
They are in government now and they are the ones doing something "so spectacular". So, Abia state was just created not too long ago. That is insulting the sensibility of those that saw what the previous governments did and projecting them as they didn't lay the foundation, is well misplaced.
What Governor Orji Uzor Kalu did then was widely celebrated as the action Governor of Abia State and one of the best in the country. He was so much loved by Ndi Abia. He never used a bullet proof vehicle. His official car was a coaster bus, where he rode with his team and friends alike crossing for official engagements.
Governor Obong Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom handed over to Obong Godswill Akpabio, Governor Akpabio handed over to Governor Udom Emmanuel and now is Pastor Eno you can't hear them discarding their previous governments as we see today in God's Own State. This approach is very divisive and not healthy for corporate leadership.
Abia is heavily divided by the dimension this present government has taken. In all this noise, yet, no new thing has been done that is extraordinary. The government is a continuum. Let's remember harvest is bigger than seeds. Abia State will remain governments will come and go.
Let's be civil in defending our political interests and in showing our solidarity. In all this let's know we are Ndi Abia first before political interest. Let's build our state in Love. Every Government has helped build Abia State, the present government is contributing its quota which is also appreciated .
Long Live Abia State
