Set to begin 6-lane road project in Umuahia
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reviewed the stipends of Traditional Rulers in the state from three per cent to five per cent.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Uzor Nwachukwu, who disclosed this at a press conference in Umuahia on Tuesday, said the gesture was in keeping with the campaign promises of the Governor.
He described Traditional Rulers as critical stakeholders that must be given sense of belonging to put in their best in the on-going collective efforts to rebuild the state from the ruins of maladministration from previous governments.
The Commissioner explained that the delays in the payment of staff of local governments as well as primary school and junior secondary school teachers were due to the on-going biometric verification exercise.
But he assured that the affected workers would be paid before the end of the week as the hiccups had been cleared.
He further assured that in subsequent months payment of salaries would be seamless, and on or before the 28th day of every month as promised by the Governor.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who spoke on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday, disclosed that Government would soon embark on the dualisation of Ossah Road Umuahia from the Enugu/Port Harcourt Express Tower Junction to Michael Okpara Square, inside the Umuahia City centre.
According to him, the road which is the major entry point to the State capital would be turned into 6-lane road.
He said that the project was part of efforts to uplift the status of Umuahia from a glorified village into a befitting state capital.
Responding to inquiry on whether compensations would be paid for structures that might be claimed by the road, the Commissioner said owners of building with proper documents affected by the road expansion would be compensated” because we are a listening Government.”
He also said that other important city roads including Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road; and Aba/Owerri Road, and the Port Harcourt Road Aba, would soon get the attention of Government.
Prince Kanu noted that Gov. Alex Otti had already commenced the renovation of nine roads in Aba metropolis, adding that the Governor wants to give attention to City roads first.
He confirmed that 2,300 ghost workers were discovered through the on-going biometric verification of workers in the state, adding that over N220 million has been saved monthly.
He also said that about 7000 workers illegally employed by the out-gone administration between January and March 2023 had been removed from the State’s pay roll, adding that about N600 million has been saved so far.
He restated the commitment of the Otti-led Government to improve the welfare of workers and pay their salaries regularly.
The Government Spokesman, however, charged workers to reciprocate Government gestures with re-dedication to duty, stressing that Government would no longer tolerate nonchalance.
He warned workers who had converted their offices into business centres to discontinue with such attitude as it would no longer be allowed.
Commissioner for Health, Mrs Ngozi Okoronkwo, who was part of the press conference, said that three General Hospitals from each of the senatorial zones would be rehabilitated and fully equipped before the Governor’s first 100 days in office.
Some of the hospitals according to her include the Abia Diagnostic Centre Umuahia; Amachara Specialist Hospital; Aba Cottage Hospital; and Umunnato General Hospital, among others.
She said that the State Government had been harnessing a lot of support from development agencies due to its genuine commitment towards improving the health sector, expressed optimism that very soon the sector would witness tremendous transformation.
The Commissioner debunked the rumour in some quarters that medical doctors in the state employee had been disengaged, dismissing it as a blatant lie.
She assured of Otti’s preparedness to revive the Abia health sector.
