One of the striking points of the present administration in Abia State, is her campaign promise to return Aba the Enyimba city to its original glory, as a major hub of economic enterprise in Nigeria.
Unarguably, in the 1970s, and 80s, Aba was really bubbling in business activities. Major manufacturing outfits, operated optimally and industrialists scrambled to locate their firms in the area and this prompted the citing of new factories at locations like Osisioma Industrial zone.
Then, there were many Garment Industries, apart from Abatex. The Nigerian Breweries had stiff competition with other bottling companies. The Glass Industry was also working. There were many Paper manufacturing Industries.
Footwear manufacturing firms, even plastic and polythene factories were doing well. Aside all these, the Aba importers and many other small businesses thrived and there was employment opportunities.
In addition, the Aba people are known for artistry in different forms. It cannot be taken away from Enyimba people the mastery of trading in various kinds, as there were big markets like, Ekeoha, Ngwa road market, Ehere market and Ariaria International market.
Beside these ones, there existed other pockets of small markets where traders and visitors could buy anything of their choice.
These businesses grew and thrived, attracting numerous visitors and traders from neighbouring South East, South South and Northern States and other African countries including Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea and Ghana.
To a large extent, the enablers were good road network, security and then, the NEPA, the official power company did their best. The federal roads that connect Abia with other States were motorable.
Unfortunately, the good story about the Enyimba began to decline and sour in the nineties. The connecting roads into Aba became dilapidated, the security worsened, daylight robberies and kidnappings became the order of the day and above all, the public power sector, crashed.
Many factories sacked their workers and folded, and gradually but steadily, things became worse for the once enterprising and business boisterous ancient Enyimba city.
Indeed, successive administrations in the State, tried their best to lift Enyimba city from its doldrums, with their different economic measures.
However, because of the depth of economic depravity, it appeared that their efforts did not yield the desired results.
Indeed, recognizing the Economic importance of Enyimba city with its inhabitants as masters and geniuses in business and skill enterprise, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, a first class economist and banker of repute promised to bring the ancient trading city back to its glory.
Sixteen months into his administration, Aba is speedily returning to its former self, where traders and craftsmen, have been leveraged and enabled to perform optimally.
Also, internal roads in the city are being reconstructed to ease mobility and distribution of goods.
Now, there is power and good roads, while stores in markets like Ariaria International market, Aba Shopping Center, the Ahia Ohuru, are being rebuilt to world class standard, with basic necessary facilities, motor parks, water, electricity, flood channels and firefighting equipments functioning effectively.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), an agency that will put total rebuilding of Aba, both infrastructurally and otherwise, has been applauded. Already, the results are gradually being seen, as new business outfits are cropping up.
With all these put in place, it beholds on the inhabitants of this city, to support the government, by paying their taxes and levies, keeping their surroundings clean and securing public properties.
Then can we say that the prospect of returning the ancient Enyimba City to its former glory by the government is workable.
