Abia State Government has intensified its Urban Renewal and Modification Programme aimed at giving Umuahia the outlook of a befitting State Capital, directing landlords to remove illegal structures and carry out facelifts on dilapidated buildings or face enforcement action.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu listed ongoing measures in the Urban renewal drive to include tree planting along major roads, repairs and repainting of public infrastructure, installation of perimeter fences and road signs, as well as the removal of shanties and illegal building projections.
The Commissioner said residents had been given ample time to comply, warning that enforcement would now commence through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA).
“As a compassionate government, residents of Umuahia have been given more than enough time to remove the shanties and illegal projections in buildings around the city.
“The party is now over for those who will not comply with this directive. The State Government through UCDA is now poised to enforce this directive.
“Landlords with such illegal structures have been advised to comply with this directive or be ready to face the wrath of the law and enforcing taskforces”, he said.
On building maintenance, Prince Kanu said that landlords whose properties required facelift or routine maintenance had been given four weeks to comply or face sanctions.
He stressed that dilapidated buildings undermined the State Government’s efforts to beautify the capital city.
“The State Government has observed with dismay as well that many landlords have not carried out routine maintenance or facelifts to their buildings for years.
“These buildings currently deface the city thereby setting back the efforts of the State Government to beautify Umuahia and give it the look and feel of a capital city.
“Consequently, the State Government through the UCDA is advising all landlords whose buildings need a facelift or routine maintenance to do so within the next four weeks from the date of this announcement.
“Landlords that disregard this directive will face the consequences”, he said.
Prince Kanu added that illegal parking of commercial vehicles on the roads had been banned, noting that defaulters risk having their vehicles impounded.
Prince Kanu announced plans by the State Government to commence construction of a Civil Service Commission/Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia, aimed at delivering quality and affordable Housing for residents.
According to the Commissioner, the State Government has approved the project and mandated the Ministry of Housing to commence work at the site.
“In line with the Governor’s vision to provide for the welfare of Abia citizens in terms of housing, the Ministry of Housing will soon begin the construction of a Civil Service Commission/Pocket Layout Estate here in Umuahia.
“This project will provide quality and affordable housing for Abia residents. Also, the State Government has granted approval for the Ministry to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t’ as it commences construction work at the site”, he added.
Prince Kanu noted that the Ministry was also in advanced discussions with Private developers under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for proposed Housing Estates at Mbaisii and Mgbarakuma, Umuahia.
Kanu said that the necessary agreements were close to being signed to enable the developers move to site without delay.
In the Health Sector, the Commissioner disclosed that 649 Medical Personnel has so far been employed out of the 771 approved for recruitment.
He said that the newly recruited workers included 432 nurses already deployed to Primary Healthcare Centres across the State.
Prince Kanu said that some of the personnel had opportunities to work abroad but chose to serve the State due to confidence in the Otti led administration.
He also revealed that a Neurosurgeon with a rare specialty was among the new recruits, and noted that the Government was open to further recruitment even after the current shortfall of 122 personnel was filled.
The Commissioner further announced that the Forum of Academic Doctors had voted Gov. Alex Otti as the best performing Governor in the South-East, attributing the recognition to the administration’s reforms across key sectors.
On transportation, Prince Kanu said that temporary charging stations had been installed to support the State Government’s free electric Bus services during the yuletide, adding that more charging stations would be deployed across the State.
He said that two MVH 33/10.415kV distribution substations had also been installed at the Umuahia Bus Terminal, with the project about 80 per cent completed and expected to be commissioned soon.
In the Power Sector, the Commissioner announced that the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) would, before the end of January, issue an order to regularise electricity activities in the state
He said that the development follows the recent transfer of regulatory authority from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC).
Prince Kanu said that the move would enhance consumer protection, improve service delivery and ensure quicker resolution of electricity-related complaints.
“This is one of the outcomes following the release of the final transfer of regulatory authority from NERC to ASERA.
“As a statutory regulator of all electricity sector activities in the state, ASERA will issue that order to ensure quicker resolution of consumer complaints, stronger consumer protection, better service delivery.
