Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has pledged to provide suitable office accommodation for the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in the state, assuring the Ministry of government’s continued support for federal institutions and projects.
Governor Otti gave the assurance on Tuesday, when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.
The Governor said his administration does not discriminate between Federal and State agencies or projects, stressing that the ultimate beneficiaries of government interventions were the people living in the state.
He said that his administration operated an inclusive policy that recognised all residents of Abia as belonging to the state, irrespective of their places of origin.
“We don’t discriminate between Federal agencies and State agencies, neither do we discriminate between Federal projects and State projects, because at the end of the day, the beneficiaries are indigenes and those living in the state.
“We also do not have non-indigenes and indigenes. The policy does not work here. Everybody who lives here is from here, and that is the way it should be”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Information to work with the visiting delegation to identify suitable office accommodation for the Ministry, and expressed confidence that the request would be addressed.
“I would direct the Honourable Commissioner for Information to look for suitable accommodation.
“You’ve given us an idea of where to look. Then, in being on ground, they will know where we can find suitable office space.
“That shouldn’t be a problem. We have been able to sort out a lot of federal agencies,” he said.
The Governor cited his administration’s interventions in Federal Institutions as evidence of its commitment to supporting government agencies operating in the state.
He assured the Ministry that it would receive similar consideration, adding that his administration would do everything possible to support its operations and ensure its success.
The Governor also thanked the delegation for acknowledging his administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure and governance, expressing satisfaction that the State’s development initiatives were attracting recognition.
Governor Otti who congratulated the Permanent Secretary on her recent appointment, urged the Ministry to sustain its support for the State.
In her address, the leader of the delegation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire, expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his goodwill and support following her appointment as a Federal Permanent Secretary.
She pledged to discharge her responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and utmost dedication, and commended the Governor for his achievements across various sectors of Abia State’s economy.
Dr Ukaire noted that Governor Otti’s emphasis on competence, fairness and inclusiveness distinguished him as a leader with a clear vision for governance and development.
She appealed to the State Government to provide suitable office accommodation for the Federal Information Centre in Abia to enhance its operational efficiency and improve service delivery.
The Permanent Secretary also emphasised the need to strengthen institutional cooperation and coordination between the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Abia State Government, particularly in strategic communication, public enlightenment and the dissemination of development-oriented information.
In her remarks, the Head of the Federal Information Centre, Umuahia, Mrs Gloria Abiakam, thanked Governor Otti for consistently giving Federal establishments in the state a sense of belonging.
She commended the Governor’s purposeful leadership, noting that his administration’s achievements were evident in critical sectors, including health, education, road infrastructure and other areas of the state’s economy.
