The Governorship candidate of the Action Peoples Party, (APP), Mascot Uzor Kalu, says Abia needs an experienced person like him in 2023 to fix the deficits in the State.
He noted that the essence of setting up the party is to fill the various vacuums identified in Abia, adding that governance is all about providing pragmatic leadership to the people.
Mascot Uzor Kalu, who spoke to newsmen on Friday at the Party Secretariat in Umuahia, said having served as Chief of Staff in Abia State Government in the past, he has what it takes to pilot the affairs of the State, stressing that the experience garnered will assist in repositioning Abia.
Revealing further plans for Abia, Mascot Uzor Kalu said if he emerges Governor of the State, he intends to create 10,000 jobs each year bringing it to a total of 40,000 in the next 4 years, informing that this will be private sector driven.
He decried the number of youths roaming the streets of Abia without jobs, reiterating that he has taken into account the frustration among the youths, assuring that his emergence as governor will address the issue of unemployment in the State.
The APP Governorship candidate hinted that as a businessman c*m politician, he has reeled out plans to revive moribund companies: Coca-Cola, Modern Ceramics among others by partnering with businessmen in the State to carry it out.
He stated that he will reconstruct drainage systems in Aba, pointing out that no matter the level of road construction done in Aba, without good drainage system, Ariaria and other areas will continue to be flooded during rainy season just as he decried the level of road decay around Port Harcourt road Aba, noting that it is appalling that people who import goods abroad see their goods consumed by floods, adding that Government has a responsibility to make the roads motorable for the people.
Mascot Uzor Kalu said if elected in 2023, he will invest heavily in Aba the revenue generating base of the State in the first 90 days of his administration, revealing plans to invest in the Tourism sector, Azumini Blue River among other Tourists sites in the State.
He pledged to make prompt payment of workers’ salaries top priority, assuring that salaries will be paid between 25th and 29th of every month as well as make rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools in Abia and equip them with modern educational facilities as well as fence them for security purposes.
On his part, His Deputy Prof Osondu Akomas, appealed to Abians to vote for all the candidates of the APP as they have young and vibrant Assembly candidates who are poised to change the narratives in the State.
He also noted that social media will be key in this election as people are bent on effecting the necessary changes that will reposition the country.