Abia State Government, in a bid to address the longstanding infrastructure deficit in the state, has announced a comprehensive plan to rehabilitate key road networks to enhance the state’s urban landscape.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu dropped the cheering news while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executives Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. Prince Kanu disclosed that the state Governor, Dr Alex Otti will on Wednesday this week flag- off the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia road.
The road which is a crucial artery to the Northern part of the state would be handled by different contractors with Cranberg assigned to the Umuahia-Uzuakoli stretch, Ferotex to the Uzuakoli-Isukwato Akara Junction, while CCECC is to handle the Ohafia-Akara Junction. The Commissioner urged Abians, especially those from the concerned communities, to troupe out to witness the landmark occasion which he described as “one of the huge dividends of democracy”.
From R-L: Comm. for Budget and Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike, Comm. for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, the GM UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomuoh and the SA to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma
Prince Kanu who underscored the present administration’s dedication to developing crucial infrastructure, particularly in the flagship Ariaria market, also announced that the state government is embarking on maintenance of 22 new roads scattered across state, and added that four roads have already been completed and await commissioning.
“The zero pothole initiative of government is being implemented and the whole state has suddenly turned into a huge construction site.“Let me also inform you that three new roads have been procured in Aba. They are Umuode street, Bakkasi street and Umuehilegbu all situated in Ariaria.
“Rehabilitation of those roads underscores the importance that government attaches to developing infrastructure in the state particularly Ariaria which happens to be our flagship market in the state”, he said
Abia State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu
The information boss, said that state government has taken a decisive step in streamlining tax enforcement by disbanding multiple tax forces, adding that a new single multiple purpose outfit will soon be introduced with stringent enforcement against illegal tax force activities.
“By this announcement, government is warning all those who engage in illegal tax force activities to desist from such practices forthwith or face the full wrath of the law. The implementation and enforcement of this new policy will be very very strict”, Prince Kanu warned
The Commissioner said that the state government in a bid to elevate Umuahia to a true state capital, will in two weeks time enforce policies aimed at removing unauthorized extension and building attachment.
He emphasized that commercial and residential buildings are expected to be utilized according to their designated purposes, pointing out that strict measures would be meted out against violators.
The GM, UCDA, Mr Kingsley Agomuoh
Also speaking, the GM, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr Kingsley Agomuo, affirmed the state government’s commitment to demolishing illegal structures identified since November last year, within the stipulated two-week grace period and added that government has already engaged owners of the illegal structures.
Abia State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Kingsley Anosike
Regarding the menace of touts in Aba and Umuahia, the Commissioner for Budget and Planing, Mr Kingsley Anosike and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, assured that stringent measures would be taken against those harassing people for taxes, emphasizing that the present administration has long ended the era of illegal revenue collection.
They noted that taxes and other levies approved by government are now paid electronically, and urged the people to cooperation with government-approved tax forces for verification.
Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma
