By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA — GOVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State, yesterday, said among his achievements as out-going governor was ensuring that security and peace reigned in the state.

Governor Orji, in his New Year broadcast to Abia people, lamented that when he assumed office in 2007, he met a state bedeviled with insecurity and division among the political elites but worked hard to change the situation.

Reeling other achievements in the last seven and a half years, the governor said: “On assumption of office in 2007, we met a state of insecurity where armed robbery, kidnapping and other illicit acts held sway.

“We met a state lacking in basic fundational infrastructure. We met demoralised and un-empowered youths.  We met a political class and elite in Abia State polarised into Abuja group, Umuahia group, Lagos group, among others.

“We met a culture of impunity where idolatry and oath-taking at shrines were the order of the day.”

The governor also assured that the moribund Golden Guinea Breweries would resume production before May 2015. According to him, work had reached advanced stage on it.

“Today, we have not only achieved unity and peace among our hitherto polarised political class and elite, but we have also restored security and placed our state as one of the safest states in Nigeria.

“Abians have also been liberated from bondage and returned to God Almighty. Our government is building an ultra-modern permanent Government House and Governor’s Lodge to end the era of a Government House being in a makeshift or rented apartment in the state.