The Abia Union in South Africa on Sunday urged the new administration in the state to rebuild Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state in order to regain its old status.

The President General of the union, Mr Vincent Nzekwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Cape Town, South Africa, that the condition of Aba was deplorable and needed serious attention.

“Aba is a major commercial nerve centre in South East like Onitsha and Nnewi. The condition of the city is indeed very deplorable and needs urgent attention.

“We appeal to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu to keep to his campaign promise of rebuilding Aba. The measure will attract investors, especially manufacturers, to partner with the people,” he said.

Nzekwe, also said Aba was blessed with manufacturers who produce shoes, shirts and building materials and lamented the decay in the infrastructure.

“The roads are not passable and some investors are no more attracted to the city to do business. We appeal to the new administration in the state to adopt a Marshal plan to rebuild the city and make it the Taiwan of Africa,” he said.

According to Nzekwe, more jobs will be created and the economy of the South East Zone will record a boom again.

“The Abia State Government will also benefit from the business opportunities in Aba because investors and local manufacturers will pay tax, create jobs and build new industries in the city,” he said.

Nzekwe said the union would partner with the state government in education through donation of books to secondary and primary schools while providing expertise in specialised areas such as Information Technology. (NAN)

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