ABIA| February 6, 2026 —
Former Abia State governorship candidate, business man and founder of the OAU foundation, Hon. Onyekwere Akym Uche (OAU), has called for a deliberate, long-term development blueprint for the Abia North Senatorial District, stressing that sustainable progress can only be achieved through continuity, strategic planning, and people-centred policies.
Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, Akym lamented what he described as a recurring pattern of short-term projects that fail to address the structural challenges confronting the zone. He argued that while interventions over the years have yielded pockets of improvement, the absence of a coherent, long-range development framework has continued to limit the district’s full potential.
According to him, Abia North is richly endowed with human capital, fertile agricultural land, and strategic economic corridors, yet these advantages remain largely underutilised due to inconsistent planning and frequent policy reversals. He noted that a long-term blueprint would provide a clear vision that transcends political cycles and personal interests, ensuring that development efforts are sustained regardless of changes in leadership.
OAU emphasised that such a blueprint should prioritise critical sectors including road and rural infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, youth empowerment, and small-scale industrialisation. He added that special attention must be paid to value-chain development in agriculture and solid minerals, which, if properly harnessed, could generate employment and stimulate economic growth across the district.
“The future of Abia North cannot be built on ad-hoc decisions or cosmetic projects,” Uche stated.
“What we need is a comprehensive, long-term development plan that is rooted in data, driven by community needs, and executed with transparency and accountability. Development must be seen as a continuous process, not a four-year experiment.”
He further called for broad stakeholder engagement in designing the blueprint, stressing that traditional rulers, professionals, civil society groups, women, and youths must all have a voice in shaping the district’s development priorities. According to him, inclusive participation would not only enhance ownership of the plan but also strengthen its implementation and sustainability.
Onyekwere Akym Uche also underscored the importance of aligning Abia North’s development agenda with the broader vision of the Abia State Government, noting that synergy between state and local initiatives would accelerate progress and prevent duplication of efforts. He commended recent governance reforms in the state, urging that similar principles of prudence, planning, and performance should guide development thinking at all levels.
As discussions continue around the future of the senatorial district, OAU maintained that Abia North’s transformation lies not in quick fixes but in a clearly defined, long-term blueprint capable of delivering enduring benefits to present and future generations. He also expressed optimism that sustained advocacy for long-term planning would reposition Abia North for inclusive growth, social stability, and economic competitiveness.
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