The Abia State Government has reiterated that the ban on street trading and driving against traffic rules remains in force.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this year’s maiden Executive Council (Exco) meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu emphasized that going forward, any violation of traffic regulations, including driving against traffic (one-way driving), will be treated as a serious offense.
He disclosed that the Abia Harmonized Taskforce, in collaboration with security agencies, has been rejigged to ensure full compliance with the policies and mandated to prosecute offenders accordingly.
“In the past, the State Government has talked about street trading and driving against traffic. These twin issues have become a menace, and we are committed to ensuring enforcement of the rules.
“The roads constructed across the state need to be preserved, and when traders use the roads for trading, they begin to wear off.
“The Government is poised to ensure that the rules are enforced to stop these practices,” the Commissioner stated.
Prince Kanu further disclosed that the Abia State Government is set to rebase its 30-year development plan, adding that the State Economic Team charged with this assignment will be inaugurated soon.
“Rebasing is, of course, the process of updating an old base year with recent ones to reflect changes in prices of goods and services within the economy.
“We know that the economic headwinds being experienced in the country today make it imperative that this exercise be carried out to reflect the condition of the economy,” he said.
The Commissioner also stated that the State Government, in an effort to improve the welfare of traditional rulers, has approved monthly payments ranging from Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira to Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira, with an additional One Hundred Thousand Naira for the leadership of the Council.
“The State Government has reiterated its commitment to give a pride of place to our traditional rulers in promoting our cultural heritage as a people.
“To give further impetus to this, the Government has approved the monthly payment of stipends ranging from N250,000 to N350,000 to traditional rulers in the state.
“In addition to this, members of the Traditional Rulers Council at the State and Local Government leadership level will get N100,000,” Prince Kanu disclosed.
Addressing the issue of arbitrary transportation fare hikes by tricycle operators and other commercial motorists, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, revealed plans to constitute a task force to regulate the activities of motorists and prevent exploitation of the public.
Dr. Ukaegbu also announced the State Government’s plans to introduce subsidized intra-city buses to ease the transportation burden on residents.
He highlighted the Government’s previous intervention in covering transport costs for Abians during the Christmas and New Year celebrations as an example of its commitment to support citizens.
Present during the briefing were the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma; and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
