The Governor of Abia State ,Dr Alex Chioma Otti OFR has declared that Abia State Government will no longer tolerate the brazen and unwarranted encroachment into its school lands.
The Governor who was ably represented by his Deputy Engr Ikechukwu Enetu FNSE, made this statement at the event of the commissioning of the constituency project of the member representing umunneochi State constituency in the state House of Assembly ,Hon Mathias Ume Nwachi at Nneato Secondary School Umunneochi LGA.
In his words”those who have the proclivity of engaging in the unwholesome practices are advised to stay clear or face the full wrath of the law as no inch of Government owned schools landed property shall be compromised to land grabbers”.
Otti noted that one of the core mandate of his government is the provision of quality education to citizens who are still of school age and revealed that in line with the education trust policy , government has introduced free and compulsory education in the state.
“No more tuition and other payment of any kind are allowed”.
Still speaking Alex Otti noted that school is now mandatory for all children of school age and warned that any parent of any child seen hawking or loitering during school period will be prosecuted.
He also spoke on the desire of the state government to crush insecurity in the state and also enhancing security in all the schools and protection of lives of students and pupil and therefore directed school heads to be at alert and report suspected movements to security agencies without delay.
He commended Hon Mathias Ume Nwachi for being audacious in making education one of his cardinal constituency projects and encouraged him to sustain the tempo in the view of the premium government has placed on the educational sector
In his speech the member representing umunneochi State constituency Hon Mathias Ume Nwachi thanked his Excellency Dr Alex Otti for the approval and timely release of funds for the project.He pointed out that the project, a five classroom block was completed in a record time by a committee constituted .
According to him”the constitution of the umunneochi constituency project implementation committee headed by Rt Hon Obi Anyaoha is in fulfilment of one of my campaign promises to the people of umunneochi and most importantly to align with his Excellency vision of prudence ,transparency and accountability”.
He also on behalf of umunneochi thanked his Excellency for his unprecented love and support to the people of umunneochi which he has shown through the tackling of the menance of bandits and kidnappers in Umuneochi using operation crush ,appointment of umunneochi members in strategic positions,rehabilitation of major roads and many more notable projects.
He also revealed that in line with his Excellency vision of judiciously using government money that he has mapped out a lot of continuous programmes within his financial capacity for the welfare of umuneochi which include annual payment of WAEC/NECO exam fees to students across Umunneochi,institution of a four year bursary scheme for selected undergraduates of umunneochi which runs from 2024 to 2027 etc .
Earlier in his welcome address the Principal of Nneato Senior Secondary school ,Mr ihionu J.I on behalf of the staff and students ,commended his Excellency Dr Alex Otti for his unwavering ,commitment and determination to revive the entire education sector from the sordid state his government met it when they assumed office .This he pointed out are evident in some of his administrations actions which include regular payment of teachers salaries,extension of service period for teachers ,exclusion of teachers from 8yrs directorship policy,introduction of free and compulsory education and many more.
He however pleaded with his Excellency to look into some other area of challenges of their school which include the dilapidated and uninhibited building arising from long period of neglect from previous administration and also the absence of security personnel’s in their school which is a threat to some quality infrastructures the school has .
He also extended their gratitude to honourable Mathias Ume, not just for his quality and responsible representation but also for his doggedness in complementing the vision of the administration in rehabilitating dilapidated structures in schools and his decision to pay 2025 waec fees for candidates in the public schools in umunneochi LGA noting that it is a commendable way of complementing the state policy on free education.
The highlight of the event was the commissioning of the classrooms by the Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu.
FIC Correspondent
Deputy Governor’s Office.
Amah Ijeoma
