Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has announced the commencement of the enforcement of traffic rules in the state to checkmate the menace of driving against traffic especially by tricycle drivers.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, said the measure was aimed at restoring sanity in the transport system of the state.
The Commissioner who decried the activities of ‘one way drivers’ vowed that henceforth, any motorist caught driving against traffic, no matter the shortness of the distance, would be penalised.
He said that the taskforce inaugurated last year for that purpose would go into full swing to crack down on the violators.
The Commissioner restated the commitment of the State Government to ensure full compliance with the extant traffic rules in Aba and Umuahia.
Kanu also vowed that street traders would, henceforth, be sanctioned.
He said: “Going forward, it will be a serious offence to drive against traffic no matter the distance. You see a lot of people within the town drive against the traffic for one reason or the other.
“It is now a very serious offence and the harmonised taskforce has been rejigged to ensure full compliance to that policy,” Kanu stated.
The Commissioner said that Abia State Government is set to rebase and update the 30-year development plan of the state government.
He explained that re-basing had become imperative given the prevailing economic situation in the country.
According to him, the state economic team charged with the assignment is already at work to ensure the success of the exercise.
Speaking further, the Commissioner said the payment of N250,000 as monthly stipend to traditional rulers in the state, and additional N100,000 to members of the State and Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers, had commenced.
This, according to him, is to give further impetus to the traditional institution in the state as a beacon of our cultural heritage.
He said “all these are being done to give a pride of place to our traditional rulers,” who are partners in progress with the state government.
The Commissioner further said that the State Government was set to regulate the right of way for laying of telecommunications cables around the state.
He said: “The final document for the right of way regulation for laying of telecom cables around the state has been produced and this will come into effect very soon.
“That is made to regulate how telecommunications cables are laid across the state,” Kanu explained.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu said that the regulation would provide rules of laying cables and added that the Abia State Government is domesticating a Start- Up Act aimed at helping science and technology startups.
According to him, the programme would involve training and processes that would enhance businesses of startups especially in areas such as online content, branding etc.
He disclosed that the first science and technology week will take place in Abia state between the 24th and 29th of March 2025.
He said plans had commenced in that regard and science and technology companies and high technology experts would participate during the week.
The Commissioner equally said that a special programme tagged “STEM,” that is Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics targeted at senior secondary school students and which aims at investing in the future of science students is ongoing in the state.
Moves to halt out -of -school children menace
The Information Commissioner said that the State had commenced enforcement of the new policy, which makes education free and compulsory for every child in the state from primary to junior secondary school three (JS111), but recommends sanctions for violators.
He disclosed that a special taskforce already inaugurated to enforce the policy, would go into action without further delays.
“The out of School policy of the state government has commenced officially with the reopening of schools on Monday, January 13. A special taskforce to enforce compliance has been put in place by the State Government,” he said.
The Commissioner further said that the policy was very dear to the heart of the Governor, adding that “he is to achieve a zero tolerance with out of school children in the state.”
“So in the days ahead, this special taskforce will ensure the compliance of this policy that is directed to ensure that the indigenes of the state who are indigent for some reasons or the other are not left behind with regards to education which of course we know is the best way to empower people.”
