His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, in  2012 announced the creation of seven new cities in Imo State. The cities are Ahiara, Akokwa, Anara, Mgbidi, Nwaorieubi, Okpala and Umuaka. The development of these cities which is a strong plank in the Governor’s Agenda to rescue Imo State from “underdevelopment” and “rural-urban migration” thereby “creating employment, wealth and improved standard of living” was very welcome especially in Ahiara which has enormous comparative advantage for urban development. This comparative advantage has been waiting for years to be exploited. The Catholic Church saw it long ago and located their Mbaise headquarters there. Ikemba Ojukwu saw it and held the Ahiara Declaration there. Owelle on becoming the Governor of Imo State barely two years ago also saw it. He liked what he saw and followed it up quickly with the announcement and the preliminary contacts by his officials. It is the slowdown in the initial speed that prompted this write-up.  I remember that Sam Mbakwe also saw the potentials of Ahiara but that “saw” ended up in the air waves. This present “saw” will not end up in the air waves in Jesus name, Amen.  As expected, Ahiara people are very happy with the Government over this pronouncement of Ahiara as a new city and are looking forward to its actualisation.

According to the past Special Adviser to the Governor on New City Development, Hon. Barr. Vita Ogbonna, the development of these new cities would include the following, namely: the construction of ultra modern markets/shopping centres; the building of city centres, recreation centres, children’s parks, and restaurants; the construction of housing estates; the building of city roads and roundabouts – each city will have about 30 kilometres of paved roads; the construction of abattoirs, building materials markets, artisan villages and business clusters; the provision of street lights and city gates; and the development of city secretariats.

The development of Umuaka, the Aka City, has taken off with the construction of its ultra modern market/shopping centre at an advanced stage; some of the buildings are currently at or above the lintel level. The development would, indeed, have gone very far but for some initial and serious challenges faced by the Government at the beginning of the project.

The Government team visited Ahiara early in 2013 for the development of a similar ultramodern market/shopping centre at Afor Ogbe. The host community was very receptive to the idea. A tour of the site was conducted. The site was suitable and inviting. Afor Ogbe has always been the major commercial centre in Mbaise. Subsequently, meetings have been held between Imo State Government officials and the host community represented by the Traditional Rulers of Ogbe and Ogbe Nneisii Autonomous Communities, officers of the two Community Government Councils (CGC), and some other representatives of Ezuruezu Ogbe. The Town Unions and subsequently the successor CGCs had met and put things in place to ensure a conducive atmosphere for concluding discussions and the take-off of the project. The willingness of the Ogbe autonomous communities to cooperate with the Imo State Government accordingly was conveyed to the Mayor of Ahiara City in June 2013.  Four months after the said communication, no serious discussions have been held towards a quick realisation of the Ahiara ultra modern market/shopping centre project. The question every responsible Ogbe man and indeed Ahiara man is asking right now is, “gini ji nkita onwu?“  What is the matter?

We are aware of the recent order given to the road contractors in Imo State to go back to site. The author believes that it will be a good thing for the officials of the Imo State New City Development to likewise go back to Ogbe and conclude discussions to enable the development of the ultramodern market to start. Ahiara people will like to buy their food, drinks, clothing and other household goods from Ogbe Ahiara Ultramodern Market/Shopping Centre, at the earliest possible time. They are therefore looking forward to seeing this project listed among the successful achievements of the “action” Governor of Imo State.

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Dr. Joe Onyike, Acting Head, Dept. of Estate Management, Imo State University, Owerri;  Chairman, Ahiara Forum.

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