Abia to embark on removal of unauthorised structures in Umuahia

…Begins massive road rehabilitation

In a bid to give Umuahia an aesthetic look befitting the capital of a state, the Abia Government has said it would embark on the removal of unauthorised extensions and building attachments in two weeks when the notice issued to owners of such attachments is expected to have elapsed.

Okey Kanu, state commissioner for Information and Culture, stated this at the Government House, Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

He said that such attachments have defaced the state capital and would no longer be tolerated.

Kanu had also said that Governor Otti would flag-off the reconstruction of the deplorable Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Ohafia road today.

This he noted was in keeping with the government’s avowed commitment to fill the infrastructural deficit in the state, especially with respect to road infrastructure.

Kanu, while noting that the road had been abandoned for a very long time, said it was a major artery into the northern part of the state and deserved serious government’s attention.

He further said that the road had been divided into three sections and would be executed by three major contractors with Craneburg assigned to Umuahia-Uzuakoli stretch; Ferotex handling Uzuakoli-Akara Isuikwuato stretch while CCECC is to handle Abiriba-Ohafia axis.
The Information Commissioner called on Abians within the stretch of the roads to troop out en masse to witness the flag-off ceremony.

Kanu also announced that the government was embarking on maintenance of 22 new roads scattered across the state, adding that three new roads namely Umuode, Bakassi and Umuehilegbu all within the Ariaria International market axis have earmarked and ready for rehabilitation.

According to him, the rehabilitation of the three new roads underscored the importance the Otti administration attaches to developing infrastructure in the state, especially as it concerns promotion of commerce and industry.

He further disclosed that the government had outlawed multiple Task Forces in the state, adding that a new single multiple purpose outfit would soon be introduced with stringent enforcement operations against illegal task force activities.

Also contributing on the proposed demolition exercise, Kingsley Agomuo, general manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), said that the affected illegal structures had been identified since November last year while government had already engaged the owners of the structures in discussion and insisted that there was no going back on the two weeks’ grace/deadline granted.

On the activities of touts in Aba and Umuahia, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Kingsley Anosike and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma said that drastic measures would be taken against anybody seen harassing people about taxes and other levies as the Alex Otti administration had long ended the era of illegal revenue collections.

They noted that the payment of taxes and other levies approved by government was now done electronically and urged Abians and residents to always cooperate with government approved task force and enforcement officers who had been empowered to check their payment receipts.