Briefing Journalists at Government House Umuahia on the activities slated to mark this years Abia Day Celebration, Ezikpe, frawned at the non implementation of the Abia charter of equity by the state House of Assembly, even after twenty eight years since the creation of the state.
He regretted that moves made by the council to give the charter of equity a legal backing by the state House of Assembly has remained unsuccessful.
In his words: “The Abia Charter of Equity of August 2,1991 was devised in good conscience where we defined matters of sharing and managing political and other common amenities in a fair manner to quell the fear of domination in line with the spirit of equity.
“Up till now,all our demands for the house to put it into law has not been successful. We hereby solemnly request the governor, the speaker and members of the Abia House of Assembly to put the charter of equity as amended into law”.
On allegations that the Advisory council did not bring any document before the House of Assembly, Ezikpe while refuting the allegation said the proposal to put the Abia Charter of Equity to law has been taken to various sessions of the House of Assembly except the 6th and 7th sessions of the Assembly adding that all effort made by the council has met a brick wall.
According to Ezikpe,it is the duty of the state house to ensure that no area is cheated hence the need to legalize the charter of equity adding that litigations would be minimal in the state if the charter of equity is legalized.
While emphasizing that power has been rotated within all the three senatorial zones of the state, with Abia north,Central and South each producing governors Ezikpe said it will be bad if the zones derail from the rotation process adding that Abia North should produce the next Governor of the state.
“I am happy that Abia governorship has rotated. In all good conscience, it will be bad if we start quarrelling over the zone that should produce the next governor of Abia.It is the duty of Abians to manage this method so that there will be no quarrel ”.
Contributing,the vice chairman of the Council, Barr.Sir Chikezie Nwachukwu while assessing Abia at 28 in terms of development said there has been improvements since the creation of the state.
He advised government to embark on comprehensive projects adding that efforts should be made by incoming administrations to complete projects initiated by their predecessors.
Programmes outlined to mark the 2019 Abia Day Celebrations include;Jumu’ah prayers in mosques on 22nd August, followed by Church service at Mater Dei Cathedral on 25th August while grand finale of the anniversary celebrationwill take place on Tuesday 27th August.
hipThe Chairman, Abia state Advisory Council,Ezeogo Anagha Ezikpe has renewed call to the Abia state House of Assembly to implement the Abia Charter of Equity as amended.
