…Supports move to fence cattle mart
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Abia State chapter, has pleaded with Gov. Alex Otti, to reconsider the sacking of recently disengaged Abia workers to mitigate the effects of their plights on their families in the face of the growing economic hardship.
APGA which made the appeal during a press conference by its leadership in the state, argued that since the affected workers are all Abians, the Government could reconsider re-absorbing them to lessen the woes of their dependants.
The press conference was addressed by APGA Chairman, Ambassador Friday Onukwubiri, who was flanked by other members of the State Working Committee.
Reading from a prepared text, the State Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, said: “APGA wants to appeal to the Government to reconsider its stand by recalling and re-integrating the over 5000 sacked workers in the interest of their respective families and dependants.”
APGA also pleaded with the Governor to intervene in the crisis rocking the State House of Assembly following the continued boycott of sittings by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Recall that the inability of PDP which has 11 out of the 24 member House, to produce the Speaker and the Majority Leader, led members of the party to refuse to comply with the leadership of the House.
The PDP members, in protest, resorted to boycotting sittings and other activities of the House.
Meanwhile, APGA expressed worry over the development, describing it as dangerous both to the state and the Otti- led administration.
“Alex Otti should quell the crisis in the House of Assembly to have a peaceful Assembly that will help him deliver good governance to Abia.
“We advise the Governor not to pretend over the the crisis rocking the State Assembly, as his inaction in stepping out to solve the problem may pose serious obstacle to his administration.
“The Governor needs the 24 members of the Abia State House of Assembly for the smooth running of his government, and should not work with select few but should bring them together as one House.”
Meanwhile, APGA commended Gov. Otti for showing commitment in addressing infrastructural challenges in the state.
APGA hailed the Governor for awarding contract for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Road which, it said, was very strategic for the development of Aba.
The party also commended the Governor for delivering some key roads in Aba, and urged him to sustain his developmental strides.
APGA further commended Gov Otti for regularly paying workers’ salaries unlike the previous administration which it accused of deriving pleasure in workers’ sufferings.
APGA, while urging the Governor to sustain such laudable move, however, called on him not to renege in his promise to clear pension arrears before the end of the year.
“We want to commend the government of Alex Otti for making sure Abia civil servants are paid their wages. He has shown a paradigm shift from the evil style of the previous administration that derived joy in the suffering of Abia workers.
APGA also backed Gov. Otti on his move to fence Abia regional cattle market, Umuchieze as part of measures to improve security around the region.
The party scolded all those opposed to the move, insisting that those residing inside the market should be evicted for security reasons.
According to APGA, people should not be allowed to hide under the cloak of trading to turn the market into a hideout for criminals.
