The widely celebrated cleanliness of Aba is increasingly being presented as a major achievement of a government that has reportedly received about ₦1.6 trillion in just 33 months. While sanitation is undeniably important, it raises a critical question. Should neatness alone define the success of an administration with such significant financial inflows?
In recent times, many people have grown uneasy with the narrative that places Aba’s improved sanitation at the center of government performance. Cleanliness is important. It reflects a level of order, civic awareness, and urban management. But it becomes troubling when it is elevated as the main achievement of a government that was entrusted with delivering broad and meaningful development.
A second-time visitor to any truly progressing city should notice more than clean streets. Beyond sanitation, there should be clear signs of transformation. New road networks, functioning industrial zones, agro-processing hubs, and well-planned residential areas should be visible. These are the real indicators of growth and long-term economic strength.
Today, however, many repeat visitors to Abia speak mostly about how clean Aba looks. That reality seems to support the concerns raised by dissenting voices that little has fundamentally changed despite the huge revenues received by the state. If the most visible outcome remains refuse collection and disposal, then it is fair to ask deeper questions about priorities and how resources are being used.
This pattern reflects a wider national issue where routine responsibilities are sometimes celebrated as major achievements. Under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for example, reforms like fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira increased government revenues significantly. But, increased revenue also comes with higher expectations for accountability and impact. It is on record that within the last quarter of 2025, (October to December) Abia got a total revenue of 60 billion monthly .
It is therefore difficult to understand why a state receiving tens of billions monthly would highlight basic sanitation as a flagship achievement. Reports suggest that only a fraction of these funds goes into salaries and pensions, leaving a large balance whose impact is not clearly visible in transformative development.
There is also concern that past failures are being used to make current efforts look bigger than they really are. Agencies like the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency struggled in the past, and while improvements today should be acknowledged, they should not overshadow the broader expectations of the people.
Most people believe that much of what is visible today is cosmetic. Repairs of existing roads, repainting, and decorative additions may improve appearance, but they do not amount to deep structural change. Anyone visiting Aba or Umuahia should be able to point to major infrastructural developments comparable to what is happening in other fast-growing states.
Another issue is sustainability. Waste management in Abia still relies largely on the traditional method of collecting refuse and dumping it in open sites across the state. Without modern systems like recycling plants, engineered landfills, or waste-to-energy facilities, the long-term benefits of this approach remain limited.
Infrastructure also plays a major role in sanitation. Good roads make waste evacuation easier and more efficient. When you consider how bad some major routes once were, including the corridor linking parts of Abia to Rivers State, it becomes clear that infrastructure directly affects how clean a city can be.
There are also concerns about capacity. Much of the equipment and workforce currently in use were inherited from previous administrations. Many of the trucks break down frequently, sometimes causing traffic problems. At the same time, sanitation workers are said to earn as little as ₦23,000 monthly, raising serious questions about welfare and motivation.
In contrast, states like Enugu State have reportedly invested in newer waste management systems, including modern compactors, more collection points, and better pay for workers. These kinds of investments not only improve efficiency but also give dignity to those doing the work.
There is no doubt that the improved cleanliness of Aba and parts of Abia deserves recognition. But it should not be overstated as the defining achievement of a government that has received such vast resources. Real development must go beyond appearance. It must touch key sectors like agriculture, trade, industry, education, healthcare, and tourism.
People are still asking important questions. What new industries have been established since May 2023? How many jobs have been created? What structural changes can truly transform the state’s economy?
Cleanliness is important and even admirable. But it cannot stand alone. For it to have meaning, it must be supported by real growth, strong institutions, and visible development. Without these, neat streets may look good, but they cannot build prosperity or secure the future of Abia State.
*Obinna Oriaku
Ekwedike
