Traditional rulers and town union leaders across Abia State have been urged to remain proactive in safeguarding their communities by maintaining vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities within their domains.
This call was made following the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti. Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, emphasized the critical role of community leaders in maintaining security.
Kanu warned that the government, through relevant security agencies, will begin to monitor and investigate any traditional ruler found to be shielding criminal elements in their communities.
Prince Kanu, who also used the forum to announce the release of a prominent business man who was kidnapped in Ukwa East few weeks ago, maintained the seriousness of the call by the state government warning traditional rulers against harbouring criminals in their communities.
“As is usual with security matters, I may not want to go into details of what happened to the businessman, but the state government is advising Abians to remain vigilant. Town unions and traditional rulers must be alive to their duties of keeping watch over their domains.
“The state government is frowning seriously at this and the warning is that if you are caught in the act of harbouring criminals, you will be treated as one.
“Of course, let me reiterate the old cliche that when you see something, you say something. We have to even go further to say that when you see something, take action by making discreet reports to the security agencies,” Kanu said.
Kanu,however, called on all Abians to remain security-conscious and promptly report any unusual or suspicious movements to security agencies.
The Commissioner further said that based on a report by the State Ministry of Works, the 19.5 km Umuahia-Bende road has outlived it’s useful life and it’s no more economical to continue to maintain the road. The road has therefore been recommended for total reconstruction. Unfortunately,the road is a federal road and there will be necessary interactions between the state government and federal authorities over the road going forward.
Others according to the Commissioner are the reconstruction of the 2.5 kilometres Umuokogbuo road, the rehabilitation of the 8.3 Isieketa -Obikabia road Isiala ngwa South LGA and the Obehie -Ezendioma road Ukwa West LGA .
The Commissioner also said the 5 newly completed road projects under its direct labour initiative will soon be commissioned.
He said the roads include the repairs on the 19.5 kilometres Umuahia -Bende road, phase 1 and 2, the maintenance work on the 1.76 kilometres Igbere junction to Onu roundabout.
Prince Kanu also announced that the Umuahia Urban renewal project meant to turn Umuahia into a modern city is progressing well as the reconstruction and expansion work along Library Avenue and Akanu Ibiam road down to FMC junction would soon be ready for commissioning.
He also said that other projects in the capital city including the bus terminal and bus shelters at strategic places are progressing and would be completed soon.
“The Umuahia Urban Renewal Project is progressing very well. It is a project that is meant to turn Umuahia into a modern city.
“Quite a lot of work is ongoing across the state capital. It is all part of the efforts to turn Umuahia into a beautiful modern city, through changes in the look and feel of the city.
“The road and junction improvement works are progressing well. For the bus terminal project, I don’t know those of us who have been able to pass through there recently to have a look at what’s going on there,” Prince Kanu stated.
In addition, the Commissioner reminded all commercial vehicle operators in the state to comply with the ongoing vehicle registration exercise. He noted that strict enforcement of the registration process would soon commence, and non-compliant drivers would face appropriate sanctions.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, the GM Umuahia Capital Development Authority UCDA , Mr Kingsley Agomoh and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha were part of the briefing.
