“THE CREATION OF ABA STATE: A MORAL BURDEN ON NIGERIA”

ECONOMIC VIABILITY

The proposed Abia State wishes to establish with concrete evidence that the Demand is based on convinced Economic Survey of the Area, using Macro- Economic parameters to show that it will be able to manage with its INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE (IGR) without reliance on the Federation Account. For example, a Revenue Survey carried out by the Federal Government in 1998 on Local Governments in Nigeria showed that, of the total Internally Generated Revenue of N 218, 984,015.68 by the 17 Local Government Areas in Abia State, the (9) LGAS in the proposed Aba State contributed the sum of N166,041,245. 75.4% of the total revenue. This trend has indeed been improving since the Survey. (See local Government Year book 1998 edition P.28)

In carrying out the Economic Survey of the proposed Aba State, we need to follow various Indices and examine them accordingly. The parameters of Land/Soil Texture, Manpower, Commerce and Industry, Engineering/ Technology, Minerals, show that the proposed Aba state will be more viable than most existing states.
The whole 3,500 sq. Kms of the proposed Aba state is flat not undulating, arable, fertile, and receptive to any type of agricultural production, non- erosion prone and free from the Disaster of flooding, witnessed in most States in Nigeria. The weather is friendly and favourable for Human habitation. The vastness of the area and its good soil nature are the reasons for its huge Economic Development and accounts for the massive migration of people from different parts of Nigeria, to live and do business in Aba
In terms of manpower, the proposed Aba state teems with a huge population of Skilled and Unskilled Manpower, Professionals, Academics; Scientists, Engineers, Teachers, Businessmen, Industrialists, and Artisans and so on, all of which constitute the required manpower base of the proposed State
To achieve greater productivity and economic well being of the people, Universities Colleges of Technology, Research Institutes and similar Training Institutions will be established and equipped. Meanwhile the following Institutions are already located within the area of the proposed Aba State:-

a. Rhema University, Umuocham Aba (Osisoma Ngwa L.G.A)
b. Veritas University Obehie (Ukwa West L.G.A)
c. Clifford University, Owerrinta (Isiala Ngwa North L.G.A)
d. National Institute For Nigerian Languages (Obingwa L.G.A)
e. Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Abayi Umueze, Aba (Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A)
f. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba (former Abia State Polytechnic, Aba )
g. Abia State College of Health and Management Technology Aba (Aba South L.G.A
h. Covenant Polytechnic Abayi, Aba (Osisioma Ngwa L.GA)
i. Temple Gate University (Osisioma L.G.A)

In the area of Agriculture, the proposed Aba State is the home of agriculture in the former Eastern Region, with huge Plantations of Cassava, Yam, Banana, and Plantain. Oil Palm, Raffia Palm (which produces palm wine) Coca, Kola-Nut, Pears, Mango and many others, which grow in every part of the State, either as Wild Plants or developed Plantations. There are several thousand Hectares of Palm oil Plantation at Ohambele Ndoki, in Ukwa East Local Government Area and Nbawsi, in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, which are revenue yielding sources. Individuals also own Oil Palm Plantations and Oil Mills for Processing Oil in all the LGAs of the proposed state
There is also large-scale Poultry and Animal Husbandry, particularly in Cow, Goat and Sheep. The abandoned Ogwe Chicken Farm, built by the Sam Mbakwe Administration, is among the biggest in Nigeria. Its revival as a huge Revenue earner, would be a big economic boost for the proposed Aba state
Perhaps one of the biggest agricultural sources in the proposed State is Forestry within the Jurisdiction of the Proposed Aba State, Imo River stretches her Forest fringes from Isiala Ngwa North and South LGAs through Obigbo Boundary with Rivers State to Umuorie, Oborhia (Ukwa West), Akwete Ndoki ,­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Ohanso Ndoki, ­­­Ohambele Ndoki to Obeaku Ndoki (Ukwa East). From Aba River, there are also Forest Reserves through Osisoma Ngwa L.G.A to Ovom, Akpaa, Abala, (in Obingwa L.G.A) and Villages and Towns along the River, up to Ukwa East L.G.A. Inland, there are vast kilometres of Tick Forests in Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala ngwa South, Ukwa East and Ukwa West L.G.As

In commerce, the commercial pre-eminence of Aba metropolis is well documented, hence it has at various periods been recognized as the commercial NERVE CENTER of the then Eastern Region, East Central State, Imo State and now Abia State. This position is related to the various commercial features of the metropolis and its financial contributions at different times. There are large well mapped out Markets as well as smaller ones. This includes the famous Ariaria International Market which is a Sub-Regional Market (in terms of the West African and Central African sub-Regions) as well as many large and middle scale Markets. Ezikwu Road Market is arguably one of the biggest wholesale Markets in Nigeria.
There is at least one notable medium-scale Market in every L.G.A of the proposed State

The proposed Dry Port located in Isiala Ngwa North L.G.A, and the proposed Seaport at Obeaku Ukwa East L.G.A, are strong and veritable sources of commercial and economic development and would surely boost the viability of the proposed State and of the South East zone, as a whole.
The proposed Enyimba Industrial Free Zone to be sited within Ukwa East ,Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo LGAs, a venture already supported by the Federal Government, would be a massive industrial and economic Emporium, that would accelerate Economic and Tourist Development, not just in the proposed Aba State, but in the South East and South South Geo-political zones and create massive Employment Opportunities in these Areas.
In industry, Aba with its good Land Area and Soil Texture, including its central location to other major Cities and Markets, is of invaluable advantage to Investors. indeed, Aba, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano were known as the industrial cities of Nigeria before the civil War. Noticeable in Aba today, are Aba Industrial Layout, Ogbor Hill Industrial Layout and Osisioma Industrial Layout. These Industrial Layouts are home to multi- billion concerns, like Nigeria Breweries, International Glass Industries, Chemlap Nig. Ltd, one of the largest producers of Resin in Nigeria; Guinness Breweries; Seven-up Industries; Metallurgical Manufactures , Paper Mills and hundreds of small –scale Industries. Aba is home to the largest shoe and leather clusters in Nigeria, Aba –made Shoes and Bags, are the best in Nigeria, if not in Africa.
These Industries provide economic leverage for the proposed Aba State
In Engineering and Technology, Aba stands out in Nigeria for her ingenuity in engineering and technology and as such Aba is nick-named the “Japan of Africa”. It is fast catching up with foreign hi-tech. All types of engineering fabrications are pioneered by Aba people. These include oil press Machines , Drilling Machines, Garri processing machines, Grinding Machines and many more. These Fabrications not only enhance industrial growth, but also create employment opportunities. The proposed Aba state will in no distant future, pioneer the industrialization of Nigeria. Already the GEOMETRIC POWER PLANT situated in Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A will ensure uninterrupted and uninterruptable Electricity Supply, to most parts of the proposed Aba State, accelerate the industrialization of the area, even up to parts of Umuahia, Imo and Rivers States.
Finally, solid minerals, Mineral Oil and Gas abound in many areas of the proposed Aba State, including Ukwa West, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Osisoma and Ugwunabgo Areas. 

Crude oil is being extracted in Ukwa West while the Oil Wells in other areas are capped for future exploitation. Meanwhile, there are about 124 operational Oil Wells in the Proposed Aba State. Ukwa West Local Government Area has one of the highest and most qualitative Gas Reserves in Nigeria. Aba State, when created, will pursue the development of oil and gas industries in the area. Besides, Aba State will partner with core Investors, to establish Industries geared towards the utilization of 250 oil related components, not yet in the purview of the Federal Government. Development of such an initiative will strategically launch Aba, into economic Leadership position.
Solid minerals like Zinc and Uranium, Lead Gold, e.t.c, abound in the proposed Aba State. Silica and Building Sands, abound in commercial Quantities in Azumini Ndoki, Aba and Owerrinta, along the Banks of Aba River and Imo River respectively. (See Local Government Year Book, 1998 edition)
Aba State, when created, will explore the possibility of ensuring that proper attention is paid in making these minerals part of our strategic Economic Development Plan.

CONSISTENCY OF DEMAND /UNALTERED BOUNDARIES
The proposed Aba State is unique in the consistent unanimity of its proponents, its unaltered boundaries , the homogeneity of its Constituents, the geographical Contiguity of the Areas covered by the proposed Aba State, Ukwana Ngwa People of Asa, Ndoki and Ngwa have the same Cultural, Historical , Sociological Heritage.
This, cannot be said of most of the competing Demands, which have changed their Names and altered their Boundaries and Land Areas, several times.
Indeed, the Demand for Aba State, is devoid of any constitutional problem, particularly of Boundary Adjustment, since the grafting of heterogeneous peoples and areas into one another, in order to form one State, will present a Constitutional Conundrum, which could deny Igbos of the one additional State, so earnestly canvassed for.
Moreover, all the constitutionally required Signatories to any Demand for a new State, who are the elected Representatives at all levels, have always signed our Demand.
POPULATION AND LAND AREA
In Population, the proposed Aba State has a projected population of about 2.5 Million people. By the largely disputed Census of 1991, it was 1.095 Million then. But most people are aware of the serious under –counting in that Census. By all reasonable estimates, there are not less than 3 Million persons living in Aba Metropolis alone. In 2006, Abia State Government counted 1.5 million buildings in Aba Metropolis.
The area of Aba State is about 3500 square Kilometres of land that is 100/arable. This compares favourably with “Land area” of some of the existing States like Akwa Ibom. Imo, Anambra, Lagos and Bayelsa (minus the areas covered by sea water) . Sovereign nations like Malta (311sq km) and Mauritius (834sq km) are smaller in area than the proposed Aba State.

• It is unthinkable what Ala Igbo has lost by way of Revenue and other Accruals from the Federal Government since 1967, when General Yakubu Gowon created the first set of States, under the Military, to destabilize the former Eastern Nigeria (Biafra)
• New States had always led to the emergence of new Development Poles. For Abia State, it will create bigger Opportunities for Cities like Bende, Arochukwu, Ohafia, Umudike, Umunnechi to grow faster, than it is now.
• Our Senators, it is our conviction, that, if you want, Aba State, will be among the giant Trophies, which you will give to Ala-Igbo, from Abuja.
• You remember, Late Sen. Jaja Anucha Nwachukwu, who was the first indigenous Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 1st Nigeria Permanent Representative at the UN, who moved the Motion , for the current Structure of the Un Security Council, Nigeria’s 1st External Affairs Minister, who negotiated the Bilateral Agreements, with the United Kingdom and the US, for the Training of the 1st Group of Nigeria’s Foreign Service Officers , the first Minister of Aviation, who established the School of Aviation at Zaria? The actualization of the creation of Aba State was uppermost in his Heart before he died.
• In fact, in the 1980’s , Late Sen. Jaja A. Nwachukwu appeared before the Mbanefo Panel at Umuahia, with impaired Sight , to defend the Demand for the creation of Aba State, before that Panel.
• If Late Elderstatesmen like Dr. M. I Okpara and Dr. Akanu Ibiam, have been immortalized and compensated by creating States, uppermost in their Hearts, People of Goodwill, throughout Nigeria, think that the time to do same, for Late Jaja A Nwachukwu, is now.
• Our dear Senators, it is our urge that you do not withhold your sence of Justice, Equity, Fair-Play and Empathy, on this Matter. Give Ndigbo, Aba State. They think it is even late.  

 Our dear Brothers and Sisters, no doubt, agree that;

1. Persistence in Demand
2. Geographical Contiguity
3. Appropriate Population
4. Available Resources
5. Land Area
6. Need for Even Development
7. Unaltered Boundaries, for Decades
8. Need to bring Government closer, to the Grassroots
9. Need to enhance Igbo Private Investments, make the Demand for the creation of Aba State, unassailable and more urgent, today. 

Long live Old Aba Division
Long live Abia State
Long live Ala-Igbo
Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria

CHIEF G.I. AKARA
SECRETARY GENERAL