Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government said it had paid a counterpart fund of N3.5 billion as requirement for the upgrade of roads and setting up of agro logistics hubs in 10 Local Government Areas of the state under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Program (RAMP).
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s expanded State Executive Council meeting, said the payment demonstrated Gov. Alex Otti’s commitment to the development of rural communities.
He said the projects are expected to commence across the benefitting LGAs as soon as the World Bank releases its own contribution.
“So the state has paid its own counterpart funds and we expect that with a similar action from the World Bank; that project will kick off around the state,”
The Commissioner disclosed that former Minister for Finance, Kalu Idika Kalu, would on Wednesday, May 28, deliver a public lecture in Abia as part of activities marking the Governor’s second anniversary.
Contributing, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said that the 18 Executive Bills signed into law by the Governor, would help transform the landscape of governance in the state.
He added that they underscored government’s commitment to institutionalizing the reforms and changes being brought into governance.
He said: “However, it’s important to note that these bills underscore His Excellency’s commitment to institutionalizing the reforms and changes that he’s bringing together in governance in the state.
“These bills also form the fulcrum, the engine block for all the roads that you see, for the infrastructural development that is going on across the state, for the massive reforms that are being carried all around the state. So that underscores the importance of these bills that have now been passed into law,” Barr. Uwanna stated.
Uwanna further revealed that with the 18 laws, some agencies have been moved from reporting directly to the office of the Governor to their line Ministries for optimal performance.
Speaking also, the Commissioner for Poverty alleviation and Social protection Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix, said Governor Otti had through payment of the counterpart fund, demonstrated commitment to the development of rural communities through investing in long term solutions.
She added that the Senior Citizens Welfare law would help safeguard the welfare of residents from 60 years and above who were often neglected. that the Senior Citizens Welfare law would help safeguard the welfare of residents from 60 years and above who were often neglected.
