Abia, Ebonyi turn NBS’S poverty index report into campaign issue

RECENT report released by the National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS) from its Multidimensional Poverty Index ( MPI) survey has become a major campaign issue in two neighbouring South East states of Abia and Ebonyi.

While the report revealed that Abia is among the low poverty rated states, and among five best states, Ebonyi, at 56 per cent, is on top the ladder among the poorest states of the federation.

Excited by the independently generated statistics, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said the ranking could not have come at a better time, stressing that it is impossible to hide self- evident facts.

Ikpeazu said: “We have been intentional, doing roads that lead to markets, connecting markets through strategic road networks, opening Akwa Ibom to Aba road, rebuilding Ariaria Market. We enhanced our Micro Finance Bank, promoting made in Aba products, as well as developing inclusive security strategies to protect our people and their businesses. These painstaking and well thought out programmes, no doubt, have enabled better life.”

Ikpeazu, who spoke through his Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Kalu, regretted that propaganda by opposition politicians paint negative picture about affairs in the state.