In a bid to restore sanity in the transport system of the state, Abia State Government (ABSG) has concluded plans to begin to enforce the existing traffic rules in the state
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this Monday in Umuahia while briefing journalist the outcome of the first State Executive Council meeting of the year presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He decried that driving against the traffic in Abia state has become a menace and said that the Dr. Alex Otti led administration is committed to enforcing the traffic rules, stating, “Government is poised to ensure that there is full compliance to that.
“Going forward it will be a serious offence 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 harmonized taskforce has been rejigged to ensure full compliance to that policy”.
The Commissioner said that Abia state government is set to rebase and update the 30 years development plan of the state government.
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He explained that re-basing has become imperative given the inflations being experienced in the country today noting that there is need to carry out the exercise to reflect the real position of the state’s economy.
Kanu informed that the state economic team charged with the assignment would be inaugurated soon.
He equally said that in order to give further impetus to the traditional institution in the state, government has commenced the payment of monthly stipend ranging from N250,000 to N350,000 to traditional rulers in the state.
Kanu noted that in addition to that, members of the council of the traditional rulers at the state level will get additional 100,000 monthly even as the same would be applied to the traditional rulers leadership at the LGA levels stressing that, “all these are being done to give the pride of place to our traditional rulers who are partners in progress with the state government.
According to Prince Okey Kanu, the state government is set to regulate the right of way for laying of telecommunications cables around the state, informing, “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”.
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 start ups.
According to him, the programme would involve training and processes that would enhance businesses of start ups 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.
The Commissioner said plans have commenced in that regard and science and technology companies and high technology experts would participate during the week.
He equally said that a special programme tagged “STEM” , that is Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics targeted at senior secondary school students which aims at investing in the future of science students is ongoing in the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, his Transport counterpart, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma and the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha were present at the briefing.
He described the appointment of Mr. Ojeikere as unprecedented, stating, “this is a landmark appointment given the fact that he is not from Abia state but because His Excellency believes in meritocracy and that there is no dividing line between an Abia citizen or a resident. Once you are living in Abia, you are part and parcel of Abia state.
“It is an unprecedented move consistent with the governor ‘s disposition towards meritocracy and policy of indigeneship. He has sworn in Mr. Benson Ojeikere of Edo state origin as the new Head of Service in Abia state.
He added that the new Head of Service, “Mr. Ojeikere who emerged as the best Coper in Abia state in the 1999/2000 batch of the NYSC service year was retained by the then state government and he has gone ahead to justify the confidence reposed in him and he has risen through the ranks to be a Director, a Permanent Secretary and now the Head of Service”.
The commissioner who also stated that the appointment underscores the governor’s belief in the principle that all residents of Abia, regardless of origin, are equal stakeholders in the state’s progress, expressed the hope that Mr. Ojeikere would bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.
Prince Kanu also informed that the Abia State government has commenced the Out-of-School Policy it had earlier announced last year, stating that the sate government has officially launched the “Out-of-School Policy” with the reopening of schools on Monday, 13th January 2025.
He said that a special taskforce has been established to enforce compliance with the initiative, aimed at eradicating the out-of-school children in the State, adding, “The out of School policy of the state government has commenced officially with the reopening of schools today (Monday).
A special taskforce to enforce compliance has been put in place by the State government. This policy is very dear to the heart of His Excellency and his intention 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 in regards to education which of course we know is the best way to empower people.”
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE