…Says no going back on making it daily market
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government, has said that the fencing of Lokpanta Regional Cattle Market, “is nearing completion.”
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, vowed that there is no going back on the decision of the State Government to convert the market into a daily market that would accommodate other lines of businesses.
He also insisted that people would no longer be allowed to reside in the market as part of efforts to improve security in the region.
He further disclosed that the State Government had issued demolition notice to traders who left the market and went into the nearby Trailer Park to erect illegal structures.
He said that the State Government resolved to demolish the illegal structures built around the Lokpanta Cattle Market to ensure that sanity and security are maintained in the market.
“Demolition notice has been served on those who left the market to go and erect illegal structures at the Umunneochi Trailer Park at Lokpanta. Government is determined to ensure sanity and security within and around the market and government is determined to ensure that that market remains a daily market.
“What has happened is that, as the market was been fenced, some misguided people left the market and went to the trailer park to erect illegal structures. So, upon noticing that, government decided to issue them with a demolition notice.”
He said that nobody would be allowed to flout Government directives on security measures to sanitize the market
“Government will not tolerate that. Arrangements are being made to ensure that even within the fenced market they operate with all the facilities that would be needed.”
The Commissioner also disclosed that the Arungwa Trailer Park had reached 90 per cent completion, and would soon be inaugurated.
He explained that the decision to build the trailer park was to avoid congestions around the Enugu Port Harcourt Expressway around Osisioma Junction.
The Commissioner further said that with the recent inauguration of the 188 megawatts Geometric Power Plant Aba, the “State Government is
encouraging investments and creating conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.”
He, therefore, urged investors to take advantage of various potentials and improved power supply in the state, and establish their businesses.
“Abia State is home to all and the government welcomes businessmen and investors from within and outside the country to the State provided they are serious minded and willing to operate within the confines of the existing laws of the state.”
The Commissioner assured investors and prospective investors that the state government would provide every enabling environment for all businesses to thrive.
“Government would continue to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the State. Government therefore enjoins the investors to be socially responsible within the environment in which they operate.”
He said that “Abia State Government is much more committed to attracting investors and making life better for the citizens and residents.”
