Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has charged the newly inaugurated members of the Abia Youths Road Maintenance Corps (AYORMACO) to rise to the occasion of ensuring zero potholes across the State.
Governor Ikpeazu who gave the charge while formally inaugurating the pilot phase of AYORMACO otherwise known as the Zero Pothole Marshalls at Government Lodge Aba, urged them to take stock of potholes in their jurisdiction and map out areas that fall under top priority to enable them tackle the assignment before them.
The Governor while noting that maintainance culture has become a knotty issue in Nigeria where government spends millions to take care of public infrastructure,said that the initiative is aimed at addressing the issue of potholes in Abia roads to enable the people get full benefits of such infrastructures.
He advised them to conduct periodic management meetings and map out strategies to tackle their assignment and warned that government will not tolerate acts of indolence and unseriousness.
According to Governor Ikpeazu, the initiative was informed by his decision to run an inclusive Government where members of the society from all strata especially, the youths are engaged in governance and the business of creating a better life for the people.
“This initiative is to bring you face to face with problems that all of us are battling to solve hoping and believing that with your youthful zest and energy, we will be able to find solutions.
“We are speaking directly to the maintainance of our roads in our urban centres at the first instance and therefore we have decided to recruit youths across Abia State especially those who reside in these local governments so that they can oversee and watch over them and rise to the occasion of nipping any damage at its earliest stages. We are going back to the old paradigm to make sure that the roads are motorable,free of potholes and easy for people to pass through both in the day and night. I therefore urge you to be dedicated and committed to duty”.
Ikpeazu while disclosing that the State government will release adequate funds periodically to enable them function optimally,directed the Local Government Chairmen as well as the Public Works Departments in their respective areas to provide them with offices and store houses to enable them take off.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works,Elder Bob Ogu said six Engineers who have undergone different trainings both technical and theoretical where selected each from the six pilot Local Government Areas of Aba South,Aba North, Umuahia South, Umuahia North, Osisioma and Obingwa LGAs to partake in the first phase of the programme.
He noted that the necessary equipment which include Roller-cutter with Halogen box attached and Generator among others, have been provided by the State government for the successful takeoff of the project.
The inuaguration which featured the handing over of Equipment to the AYORMACO was attended by the Permeant Secretary, Ministry of Works Engr, Okpara, former Permanent Secretary ,Elder Richard Nwala as well as Executive Chairmen of the six Local Government Areas.
