GADA is an acronym for Greater Aba Development Authority. Thank God that Governor Alex Otti has thought it wise to establish the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA). This is a holistic policy initiative that is aimed at transforming the city of Aba into a global megacity. Aba is a city of the world, a melting pot of the Igbos. GADA, therefore, represents a great dream and a great vision translated into a policy action. The Governor has also chosen a Canadian-based, international Town Planning expert, Uche Ukaeje, to drive the vision of GADA.
The city of Aba is dear to the heart of our Governor. On assumption of office, he quickly embarked on a largescale road construction work on the inner roads in the metropolis. The major one being the Port Harcourt Road that is being constructed by Julius Berger. He personally led the action on revamping waste management module in Aba and general environmental protection. He is currently leading action on the rebuilding of Ekeoha Market, with the former Senatorial flagbearer of the Abia South under the Labour Party, Mr. Chinedu Onyeizu, as the Director of the operation. Onyeizu said: “When we are done, Ekeoha will be like Dubai”.
Governor Otti through GADA plans to rebuild the ancient city of Aba. GADA will focus on ensuring a modern town planning and country act for the city and a modern city planning with orderliness in general construction of both residential and commercial buildings. This will be followed by the reconstruction of markets and the development of Small and Medium Scale (SMES) businesses. There will be need for the introduction of new transport systems and the establishment of new security architecture for adequate protection of life and property. GADA is about a whole new social transformation and repositioning of the ancient city of commerce and trade.
Governor Otti should also use GADA to harness the latent talent of creativity of the artisans of Aba. There is a large spectrum of men and women of skill, trade and craft that populate Aba. It is the mystique of the city and Aba tradesmen are a wonder to the world. From the Aba tailor, the shoemaker, bag-maker and all leather workers to the fabricators, there is a generic talent of creativity. The work of the artisans and tradesmen and their profound skill in developing local content or brands of all products are stories that have transcended many shores.
The city of Aba became a municipality in 1904 after the colonial administration moved the District Office from Akwete in today’s Ukwa East Local Council to Aba in 1903. From that time, the city was constructed to be a trading post for the old colonial companies. They all had a station in Aba. So the city became a melting pot of business activities from day one. This led to a heavy migration of the people of the old Eastern region to Aba. It has been so up to today. There is no business or company that does not have an outlet in Aba. Every Igbo person of repute has a root to Aba. It is either that he was born here or that he schooled here or that his father had had a stint in one business in Aba. Aba is a rainbow coalition of the Igbo race and that is why it also captures the spirit, creativity and resourcefulness of the Igbo.
Aba has not only remained the business hub of Abia State, it is actually the epicentre of business for the entire old Eastern Region comprising the South East and South-South and at a point it was the hub of commerce for the entire Nigeria and the West African sub-region. It is what Florence or Venice used to be for Italy. The city has been economically strategic for the people for over 100 years. While Umuahia is the government administrative centre, Aba is the place for business. Due to this mass influx of people into Aba, the city has come under heavy urban pressure and this is why there is urgent need for the infrastructural renewal of the city. This is also why Governor Otti’s GADA is timely.
Thus, the establishment of GADA is a great policy initiative that will bring back the lost glory of a once famous city. GADA is indeed another opportunity for Governor Otti to make history and write his name in the annals. I pray that this programme is driven through
Adindu writes from Umuahia
