Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti, has adduced reason the State Government would not interfere in the alleged high school fee charges by the new management of Government College Umuahia, explaining that the school now operates as a private business.
This is as he has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of any member of taskforce on transportation, allegedly demanding N5000 cash payment from tricycle operators for repainting of their tricycles.
The Governor who was responding to a question during a media parley on Wednesday night in Umuahia, said that since the Old Boys Association of the school took over the management and handed it to a private investor, it would not be proper for Government to dictate charges for the investor.
He, however, noted that the efforts of his administration to improve the quality of education in public schools across the state, were aimed at providing alternative for the people.
Recall that there have been outrage and protests by residents especially donor communities calling for the slashing of the over N1 million per session school fees charged by the new management.
The Governor advised parents who might not afford the new fees to look for alternatives elsewhere instead of their children getting stranded.
Citing an English proverb that says, “if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” the Governor encouraged parents to enroll their children and wards in schools they could afford.
He, however, promised that very soon quality education service would be available in all public schools across the state.
On the allegation of N5,000 cash being extorted from KEKE operators by members of the transport taskforce, Gov. Otti directed immediate investigation of the allegation with a vow to punish anyone found culpable.
He urged KEKE operators and members of the public to stoutly resist anyone under any guise requesting cash payment on behalf of his Government, describing such a person as a thief.
Otti said: “Nobody should pay cash to anybody. Anyone demanding cash payment is not working for this Government. Blow the whistle; we should resist extortion.
“When somebody says pay cash, he is already a thief; he/she should be apprehended and treated like a common criminal.”
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Uzor Nwachukwu, to publish the exact amount to be paid by KEKE operators for the repainting of their tricycles, and other fees to avoid any tout taking undue advantage of their ignorance.
Otti also vowed to deal with any taskforce member caught harassing motorists, saying that his administration does not believe in harassment.
Responding to a question on the exact size of land acquired by the State Government for the proposed Abia Airport project, Otti said the Technical Team had mapped out the hectares of land ideal for the project.
The Governor who said that the construction of the runway had commenced, added that the Federal Government had approved funds for the perimeter fencing of the airport.
Otti said compensation had been paid to the host communities/landowners.
He, therefore, directed anyone in search of details of the size of the proposed airport to meet the relevant ministries and government officials.
The Governor also said that the construction of access road to the Abia Industrial Park at Owaza had commenced to facilitate the construction of the 10,000 barrels per day capacity modular refinery recently approved by the Federal Government.
He further said that the re-construction and upgrade of the Enyimba Hotel Aba into a five-star hotel with 100 rooms would soon commence.
Gov. Otti said his administration had reduced the debt profile of the state from N138 billion he inherited in 2023 according to the Debt Management Office, DMO, to N66 billion by December 2024.
The Governor who said he had already paid over N72 billion of the debt accumulated by his predecessors, explained that the total debt profile he met was above the figure given by the DMO as it did not capture some arrears of salaries and debts owed local contractors.
Otti said that prudent management of scarce resources had been the secret of his success, adding that his administration “has not borrowed a dime.”
Responding to a question on why cows still roam the state despite the passage of the anti-open grazing law some years ago, Otti said he would look at the details of the law to know if it required any review.
The Governor who said he believed in anti-open grazing, decried the menacing activities of herders.
“I’m an apostle of anti-open grazing. We have gone beyond carrying cows around. Even the species of modern cows do not need roaming.”
Gov. Otti cautioned those already engaging in campaigns for the 2027 polls, arguing that it is too early to begin to heat the polity over “an election that’s still more than two years away.”
“It’s too early to start campaigning for 2027 but some people have mischievously started. I saw some people packing money and preparing for 2023 elections but died before 2023. Power belongs to God.”
