The Commissioner for Works, Elder Bob Ogu has described the Abia Youth Road Maintenance Corps (AYORMACO), Training organised by the State Government, as part of it’s efforts to boost infrastructural development in the state.
AYORMACO also known as the Abia Zero Pot-Holes Marshals are Engineers and Supervisors from the State Ministry of Works, drawn from the 17 LGAs of the State.
They are expected to assist in the maintenance of roads across the state to ensure the achievement of Zero pothole policy of the State government.
The one week intensive training exercise is part of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s Infrastructural Development drive aimed at maintaining already existing roads and ensure the success of state government’s operation Zero Potholes campaign in all parts of the State.
Speaking during the Orientation and Training Seminar in Umuahia, the Commissioner, said it would facilitate the achievement of success in the state government’s plans to fast track widespread socioeconomic development in Abia.
Ogu said: “We believe in continuous education because basic training or certificate is not enough.
“We want to further train our staff and any member of the public that is interested in the programme to keep abreast with the new trends in the field of engineering.
“It is expected that participants would pass on the knowledge they acquire to their colleagues for overall enhanced performance of the Ministry of Works”.
The Commissioner who disclosed that the training would be a continuous process,advised government Engineers to imbibe new trends in engineering and improve on their service delivery.
In a lecture titled “Health And Safety In Work Places” the Managing Director Eckleen Integrated Services Nigeria Limited, Engr. Uzoma Onuoha charged road construction supervisors and Engineers to attach premium on maintenance culture as well as health and safety in workplaces.
According to him, health and safety in a workplace entails getting competent personnel, acquiring the right equipment, providing adequate personal protective equipments for workers and developing a viable workplan.
He emphasised on the need to imbibe preventive maintenance culture, and urged them to work according to government specifications and not compromise quality standards.
Onuoha, regretted that a lot of infrastructural projects collapse today because of poor supervision by the relevant authorities during the construction of such projects.
Moderator of the Programme,Dr Christian Nwaehibe, while appreciating Governor Ikpeazu for the initiative said the state government is desirous to encourage maintenance culture in the state because of its concern for safety and zero potholes on Abia roads.
Some of the participants who spoke to National Ambassador including Mr Ikechukwu Alaohuru and Mr Emeka Nwankwo expressed delight over the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills for enhanced performance in their duties.
