Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has said that it had initiated moves to make Umuahia, the state capital a smart city.
This is as it hinted that four new estates would be developed in the state in partnership with private developers during the year.
The Government said it had embarked on many urban renewal and beautification initiatives including the relocation of illegal traders from Isigate to Okwulaga -Afara, Umuahia, to actualise this.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing the press after this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He said that the state government was on the verge of relocating the illegal Isigate market to Afara, and further noted that part of the initiatives includes the construction of bus shelters within Umuahia, among others.
“In continuation of the infrastructural development agenda of the state, the State government is poised to embark on a number of urban renewal and beautification initiatives that are geared towards making Umuahia, the state capital a Smart City.
“The State Government is on the cusp of relocating the illegal Isigate market to Afara. The idea is to decongest the city centre in Umuahia.
“Please, be informed that land for the new market has been completed and compensation duly paid to the land owners. At this point, the building of a perimeter fencing round the market is ongoing.
“The relocation is geared towards decongesting Isigate and making way for the new bus terminal and other transport and beautification projects around that part of the capital city,” Prince Kanu stated.
Prince Kanu said that the state government is very intentional and determined to implement the Smart City project hence, there’s a move to remove the projections in front of buildings. He said that the state government, through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority ( UCDA), has standardised the projections across the state.
According to him, “Going forward, landlords will be allowed to project their buildings and the specification is about 1.5 meters. The idea is to standardise the design for the projections across the length and breadth of the state particularly in Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia.
“Of course you know that when the project gets on the way, it would make the state to wear a new look entirely,” Prince Kanu noted.
He further said that part of the initiatives for the Smart City is the construction and expansion of 1.385 kilometres Library Avenue (Bank road) into a two-lane road on either side of the median. He added that drainage improvement works is also part of the package. He said that by the time the project is finished, it would enhance the aesthetics towards the Government House from either side of Okpara Avenue from FMC axis.
He equally informed that the initiatives include the construction of bus shelters within Umuahia, disclosing that currently, civil works were ongoing at about 10 proposed shelters starting from Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard.
The Information Commissioner revealed that in furtherance to the road development agenda of the state government, there are 28 ongoing construction projects across the state with the contractors on all the site working very hard to beat the deadline that has been set for them. He also revealed that there are about 44 direct labour sites where work was ongoing and few of them have been completed with about 35 on course.
Prince Kanu said that the government has warned producers of fake drugs and beverages to desist from such unwholesome acts that dent the image of the state and informed that the state government is going to embark on serious enforcement with the security agencies to ensure that such acts are stopped forthwith.
He also warned motorists who drive against traffic, saying, that no matter how short the distance might be, nobody should drive against traffic as those found guilty would be persecuted under extant laws
According to him, about four housing projects would take off soon; and that two of the proposed projects are around Umuahia, one in Aba while the other is located in Ukwa West respectively.
He said that discussions are ongoing with developers and the affected areas are Valley View in Umuahia, Mbaisii, Mgbarakuma and Obehie in Ukwa West LGA.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumereije said that a lot would be happening in the housing sector in the state this year, disclosing that the state government is embarking on housing project that is called the New Umuahia project .
According to him, the new Umuahia is located between Umuahia Tower and Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, and it would cover about an area of 2,000 hectares, affecting about 19 communities at that corridor. He said that the public would be duly informed as soon as the paper works are completed.
Answering questions from newsmen, the Special Adviser to the Governor on media and publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, made it clear that all forms of illegal motor parks existing at Isigate will soon be a thing of the past. He said the ban on one way driving is still in force as no group of persons are exempted from the ban.
The General Manager, Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, said that the planned relocation of illegal traders from Isigate to the newly acquired site at the Relief Market at Umunze-Okwulaga Afara would happen soon.
The perimeter fencing is ongoing while compensation has been paid to land owners. He added that the Bus terminal at the Abia Tower axis of the Enugu/Port Harcourt expressway would soon under go renovation to serve as park for heavy duty trucks.
