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ABSU, ABSUTH, Abia POLY, Others To Receive Backlog Of N16.5 Billion Salaries July, Abia Govt Assures

June 26, 2024

Alex Otti - Abia State Governor — Alex Otti, Abia State Governor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia state Government has said it will begin the payment of the several months of inherited salaries of the State workforce from July 2024.

This is just as it revealed that the salary arrears will cost the Governor Alex Otti- led administration a whopping sum of N16.5 billion.

However, the payments will be carried out in tranches, to void impacting negatively on other essential sectors of the State’s economic life.

The State Government’s move is coming on the heels of disquiet and agitations among the affected categories of workers over the delay in the payment of the salary arrears, which was one of the key campaign issues of the Otti Government in the countdown to the 2023 Governorship elections.

Although the staffers of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH Aba, had on Tuesday, June 25, protested against the delay in the payments of their April and May salaries, insider sources have revealed that their outstanding 22 months arrears is the major problem

John Akpara, the State Commissioner for Finance at a briefing late Tuesday evening in Umuahia ,said Governor Otti, has made all necessary arrangements for the backlog of salaries to be paid.

Most of the salary arrears are owed to Tertiary Institutions and some Extra Ministerial Departments .According to Akpara, the Abia State University, Uturu is being owed 11 months, while Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, is being owed 33 month’s backlog.

The State Government inherited 22 months salary arrears at the College of Education Technical Arochukwu, and several months at Hospital Management Board ,and Abia State Secondary Education Management Board.

The arrears at ASUBEB, HMB and SEMB, the Commissioner noted, will cost the State over N4 billion to clear.

Other tertiary institutions being owed are: College of Health Sciences and Management Aba and Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba .

The Commissioner who addressed the press in company with his information counterpart Prince Okey Kalu, insisted that it has always been the intention of the Government to accord priority to workers welfare since mounting the saddle a year ago.

He, however, expressed regret that some people have refused to appreciate Government’s open mindedness in that direction.

He informed that workers at the state owned tertiary institutions will begin to get their arrears from July/August this year .

Government’s intention he said is to complete the payments on or before the end of 2024 .

” As a matter of fact ,the past administration owed Abia state Polytechnic 33 months, ,College of Education Arochukwu ,22 months Abia state University 11 months .

Hospital Management Board is owed for several months ,Theirs is humongous.We also have ASUBEB and SEMB with the total amount being owed them over N4 billion.

The total of salaries being owed to all these institutions as we speak is N16.5 billion and the Government is expected to pay the arrears.

” But one thing I will promise is that it would be paid .However, it is not going to be in one sweep .We will do it in instalments ,so that it does not hamper the progress of other sectors of the economy” Akpara noted.

N432b Probe: Embattled El-Rufai Goes To Court

The Source

June 26, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

An embattled immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has gone to Court to stop the Kaduna State House of Assembly from probing him over alleged misappropriation of the sum of N432b. The alleged misappropriation, the Kaduna Assembly claims, has put the State Government in a difficult situation with the huge debt left for it by El-Rufai.

El-Rufai has to his shock been embattled since the administration of Governor Bola Tinubu, an administration he feels strongly he was part of those who installed it.

Recall that the Senate refused to approve his nomination by President Bola Tinubu as a member of his Cabinet. Following on the heels is his spat with the Governor of the State, his successor, Senator Uba Sani, whose political godfather he thought he was. Sani was El-Rufai’s Aide in his first term as Governor, who he eventually helped to go to the Senate to replace Shehu Sani. El-Rufai later encouraged and fought for Ubah Sani to succeed him in office. They have since fallen apart, politically.

However, the greatest challenge to El-Rufai is the decision of the Kaduna State House of Assembly to probe him after the Governor had raised an alarm over the debt left for him by El-Rufai’s Administration and after a Committee of the Assembly indicted El-Rufai for alleged misappropriation of funds, and recommended him for a full blown probe and an investigation by the EFCC.

Governor Sani had revealed that El-Rufai’s Government left a crushing debt of $587million, N85billion, as wellas 115 contractual liabilities.

Since then, individuals and groups have rallied against El-Rufai and beckoned on the EFCC to invite him for questioning.

Feeling boxed in, the former Governor and power-broker, has run to the Courts to stop his Probe by the Assembly, pleading that he was not given the opportunity to defend himself.

El-Rufai’s fundamental rights suit challenging the Assembly Committee’s report, which indicted him for money laundering and other financial infractions during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Kaduna State, was filed on Wednesday by his Counsel, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, SAN, at Federal High Court in Kaduna against State House of Assembly.

The Assembly had indicted El-Rufai and some of his Aides of corruption and financial mismanagement during his Governorship.

The probe, according to the Assembly, will concentrate on El-Rufai’s Government’s loans, financial transactions, contractual liabilities, and any other relevant matters.

A frustrated Governor Sani said his Government is spending about 70 per cent of its resources on debt servicing.

Rivers: APC Asks Police To Vacate LG Secretariats

Ayodele Oni

June 26, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has observed that peaceful protests by some groups in the State are turning to violence.

The Party also described as crude the decision of Security Agents to continue with occupation of Local Governments in the State.

A statement on Wednesday by the Party’s spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, stated that from observation, the protests appear to be orchestrated and stage-managed to justify call for State of Emergency, even where no such situation ordinarily exists.

“We received with utmost consternation, the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) yesterday June 25, 2024, at the Hotel Presidential axis of Port Harcourt on the busy Aba Road of the Garden City by an alleged protester.

“For clarity, the protest is organized against all advice and caution by a political group loyal to the FCT Minister, same group that has called for impeachment of the sitting governor, same group now calling for State of Emergency in the state.

“To all reasonable persons, the protests appear to be orchestrated and stage-managed to justify their call for State of Emergency, even where no such situation ordinarily exists.

“We are miffed by the deployment of guerrilla warfare to our polity and wonder why this ugly narrative must always headline political activities in Rivers State.

“Regrettably, this shameful and unfortunate incident reminds us of the January 19th 2023 bombing of the APC campaign venue at Rumuwoji town hall, another suburb of Port Harcourt, which left six APC members injured, and all the signs point to the same group who seem to have the privilege of getting away with whatever violent crime they launched.

“We challenge Police authorities in Rivers State to rise to the occasion this time by quizzing sponsors/leaders of the protest of 25th June 2024 who are not only known political hunchos, but apostles and sympathizers of the call for a state of emergency in Rivers State.

“They seem to apply the notion that whatever you can’t get you destroy. Their modus operandi which is now common knowledge is that whatever evil they want to launch, they first raise public outcry and point fingers to the opposite direction to deceive the public.

“We sadly recall that a similar bombing incident linked to political activities occured in February of 2023 which led to the untimely death of the mastermind, Mr Destiny Igbanibo.

“Rivers people waited in vain for details of the outcome of Police investigations on that traumatic incident, but, like other very disturbing acts of violence against the opposition and security breaches that occurred in the lead-up to the 2023 elections, it has been a matter of coverup or ‘the more you look, the less you see.’

“The remote reason for the so-called protests which clearly is targeted at scare-mongering and instilling fear in residents and investors, is the shutting down of local government council Secretariats in the state and we dare say, that the intervention of the Police must balance public order and rule of law.

“The idea of physical occupation of workspaces by the Police is completely out of tune with modern realities. How does denying civil servants access to their workspaces connect with or to the likely outcome of Court decision(s)?

“It’s more strange that the people carrying out violent protests on the streets are claiming they are doing so ‘in support of the police seal off of the LGA Secretariats’.

“It beats all logic that a group protesting in support of an action are at the same time perpetuating violence and bombing. This is a cup of tea for the Rivers State Police Command to unravel to avoid being seen by members of the public as being complicit in the unfolding drama.”

House Of Representatives Pays Tribute To Late NCS Deputy Comptroller

Ayodele Oni

June 26, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representatives has has described the late Deputy Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS) Etop Andrew Essien, as a dedicated and exemplary officer.

The deceased slumped and died on Tuesday, during a convivial engagement with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the green chamber.

The House noted that he shared his expertise and insights with warmth and professionalism, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to public service.

A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi Jnr, stated that “His sudden passing has left a void that will be deeply felt, but his legacy of selfless service, distinction, and dedication will continue to inspire us all.”

The spokesman added that Chairman, House Committee on Customs & Excise Duties, Leke Abejide, ADC, Kogi, described Deputy Comptroller Essien as “an outstanding and knowledgeable officer who served with distinction.

“He was a valuable partner in our efforts to strengthen Customs revenue collection and facilitate trade. His contributions will be deeply missed.”

Also, Bamidele Salam, PDP, Osun, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, said, “We are shocked and saddened by his sudden passing.

“Deputy Comptroller Essien was a thorough and dedicated public servant who demonstrated a strong commitment to accountability and transparency.”

Extending his heartfelt condolences to the family of the Deputy Comptroller, President Bola Tinubu described his passing while on an official assignment as “most distressing.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also expressed his condolences, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated public servant. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”

Rivers: “Failed Explosive Part Of Ploy For State Of Emergency” – Governor Fubara

Ayodele Oni

June 26, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has asserted that the failed attempt to detonate an explosive device at the Hotel Presidential, a five star hotel in Port Harcourt, was a deliberate ploy to strengthen the call for a State of Emergency by haters who want to undermine the State to achieve their evil plans.

The Governor reiterated that he is not fighting anybody, but rather defending the State against predators who feel they own it more than others.

Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received on courtesy visit, a delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its Chairman, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, to Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Nelson Chukwudi, quoted the Governor as saying that some youths were hired to engage in a protest to demand for extension of the tenure of former Local Government Chairmen who have served out their statutory three-year tenure.

Governor Fubara said the protesters and their sponsors were aware that some Honourable Members of the National Assembly were guests at the Hotel Presidential, which is why they attempted to detonate an explosive device near the facility in order to give reason to support the call for State of Emergency when the matter is raised at Plenary but they failed.

“As a matter of fact, let me tell you, I know of everything that is happening. Yesterday Tuesday, they (protesters) were aware that you are in the State. So, there was an attempt to create serious problem.

“In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But this God that we serve, it happened that the man who was trying to do it, detonated it but just few seconds after, it blew his hands off.

“The idea was that as you were hearing state of emergency, it will be so that by the time they finish, when you return to have your sitting tomorrow, the debate will be from somebody from this State who called you people to tell you not to come.

“He will now raise issue of state of emergency, and say after all, distinguished colleagues saw it happen while you were in Rivers State, that you saw what happened.

“I tell you, we know everything that is happening, and you know it, everybody knows it. We should be bold enough to look at the face of people and tell them the truth.

“I am not fighting anybody. If I am fighting, people will know that I am fighting: My pattern will change. What we are doing is to defend ourselves. We can’t just fold our hands. Only a tree will be standing and somebody will come and cut it off.

“It doesn’t happen as a human being. If you know that danger is coming, you shift. What we are doing is just to protect ourselves. So, Distinguished Senators, I am not fighting anybody.

“Somebody thinks or some people feel they own life. I don’t own life. The person who owns life is God. What we are doing here is to serve the people of Rivers State because God has given us this opportunity.

“It doesn’t matter the channel the opportunity came from. But the most important thing is God, and nobody takes the place of God in anything.

“I will also appeal to you that in this process of privatisation, anything that has to do with our own State here that needs to be privatized, the Rivers State Government will be interested. Because you can’t come here and own our property when we have the resources to have shares or to acquire some portion of it.

“So, as a committee, if there is anywhere you can support us; if they is anyone that is still available, let us know, and let us get the details so that we can own it.

“It is only when we own it that those assets can be protected. It is only when we own it, that is when those assets become viable to the State, and also become viable to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he noted.

In his address, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, said they were in Rivers State to carry out oversight duties on some projects under their purview.

Senator Kalu, who is the member representing Abia North Senatorial District, commended Governor Fubara for his love for peace, determination to offer quality governance and keep pace with providing the right climate to engender economic growth to all residents in the State.

The Senate committee chairman also urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to sheath the sword, and call his supporters to order as a commitment to fostering peace and putting the interest of the State above all considerations.

“I want to admire Your Excellency, your Deputy and your team for the good things you are doing in the State, but it is good to have peace.”

Naira Abuse: Why Cubana Chief Priest Escaped Jail Term

Adesina Soyooye

June 26, 2024

By Adesina Soyooye

Even though both Bobrisky and Paschal Okechukwu committed the same offence, Okechukwu, popular as Cubana Chief Priest will not, unlike Bobrisky spend time in jail. He will, also, not be referred to as an ex-convict.

Both were charged to Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for the same offences – money laundering and abuse of the Nigerian Currency – Naira. But while Bobrisky is languishing in jail, Nwachukwu, also known as Celebrity Bartender, reached an agreement with the E

Agreement With EFCC which has kept him out of jail.

Cubana Chief Priest resolved his problem with the EFCC by agreeing to forfeit the sum of N10 million to the Federal Government. He also entered into a bond which compels him to be of good behavior.

The agreement between him and EFCC was reached in an out-of-court settlement which was not objected to by a Federal High Court in Lagos before which the trial was.

Aside from the forfeiture of N10m Naira, and a bond to be of good behaviour, the Cubana Chief Priest will be a kind of Ambassador yo the EFCC by engaging in sensitization campaign against Naira abuse and other economic and financial crimes.

He will, also, every two months, post videos on his social media handles, where he would promote how to use the Naira responsibly.

The case was before the Honourable Justice Kehinde Ogundar. on Tuesday.

The EFCC was represented by its Cousel, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala while Okechukwu was represented by a senior lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN).

For the records, Bobrisky had, in his plea for leniency, offered to be an Ambassador for the EFCC and promote the Commission’s activities using his social media platforms where he has an appreciable following. The Court was not persuaded.

“We Are Six Steps Behind Our Colleagues In Salary Structure, Owed 21 Months Arrears” – ABSUTH Doctors Lament

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 26, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“ABSUTH cannot attract world class professionals” Dr. Erondu.

The President of the National Association Of Resident Doctors, NARD, Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba, ABSUTH Chapter, Dr Nnamdi Erondu, has called on the State Government to fulfill its promise of aligning the salary scale of Resident Doctors at the hospital with those of their counterparts in other parts of the country.

This is even as he has appealed to Governor Alex Otti, to keep faith with his electioneering promise of offsetting the 21 months salary arrears owed workers of the institution.

Dr Erondu who spoke in an interview with The Source (Newsmagazine) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 insisted that it will be practically impossible to attract world class medical professionals to the institution going by the poor remuneration package currently in place.

He regretted that the Institution’s Doctors are still currently being paid with the 2009 salary structure, even when the system has been reviewed six times in other Tertiary Health Institutions in the country.

“The fact is that we, at ABSUTH, are being paid with the salary structure that was enacted in 2009 .

“Between 2009 and now, there have been six reviews. That leaves us six steps behind our counterparts in other hospitals, including the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Umuahia.

“As I am speaking now, our salary here is less than half of what our colleagues are being paid at other institutions .

“When the present administration came on board last year, the issue was raised. The Commissioner of Health set up a Committee to look in to the matter.

“After interacting with other sister institutions, the Committee discovered that we are actually far behind and agreed that the salary structure has to be reviewed.

“The Abia State Government accepted and right before our National President and other officials, promised that it will start paying us with the review salary structure by December 31, 2023.

“But as at today, we are still being paid with the 2009 salary structure.” Dr Erondu stated .

According to him, the vision and mission of the present administration in the state to transform ABSUTH, will be difficult to realise if an enabling environment for the attraction of world class professionals is not put in place.

“The Governor has repeatedly stated that his intention is to make ABSUTH a world class institution capable of competing favourably with others across the country.

“This is a vision all of us here share. But the problem is that in pursuing that vision, you have to factor in the attraction of equally world class professionals .

“But the truth is that with the relatively poor remuneration package in place, you are not even sure of retaining the ones in the system, not to talk of attracting others from other institutions.

“Like I said earlier, we are six steps behind our colleagues in other places. How do you convince those people to leave where they are being paid higher to come and collect less?

“Again, those Institutions already paying more than we do here ,are struggling to combat the scourge of brain drain ( the now popular Japa syndrome).

“If those institutions relatively better off than us in terms of remuneration, are battling to ward off brain drain, I don’t see how ABSUTH with its present welfare package is being an option for world class professionals.

“Therefore, our appeal is that the authorities should urgently address the welfare of the staff of the institution as a prelude to the realization of the vision of repositioning the system”, the ABSUTH-NARD President noted.

Further speaking, Dr Erondu emphasised the need for Governor Otti, to justify the trust and confidence the ABSUTH Community reposed in him by ensuring that all agreements reached with the staffers are fulfilled.

“Look, almost through out the past administration in the state, we were locked in one industrial action or the other due to the nonchalant attitude of the regime to us here .

“Principally, due to non-payments of salaries, this place was largely shot down. But due to the promise made by the Governor during the campaign period which he also repeated after winning the election, we sheathed the sword and lined up behind him.

“He promised to pay us our 21 months salary arrears as soon as he comes on board. This gingered us and as a result we called off all industrial disputes.

“But up till now, we are still waiting. The fact is that we are not interested in any confrontation with anybody. All we are interested in is for peace to reign in the system and ABSUTH and the State to move forward.

“So, it will be a good development if all stakeholders in the Abia renewal project are mutually sensitive to, and supportive of the interests and wellbeing of others” Dr Erondu noted

Governor Oyebanji Solicits Support From Ekiti Indigenes In Federal Govt Employment

Ayodele Oni

June 26, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has challenged Federal workers who are indigenes of the State to leverage their positions in the federal public service to facilitate more development to the state.

The governor charged them to provide information that can create access and opportunities for the people to prosper and achieve their potentials.

He said that by sharing insights and data on federal initiatives and opportunities, they are helping the state to make informed decisions that can drive Ekiti’s growth and development.

He urged them to use their knowledge and resources to partner and support the state government to enhance the quality of life of the citizens and provide together an environment where every Ekiti citizen can thrive and prosper.

Governor Oyebanji who stated these during an engagement with Ekiti Stakeholders in Abuja said his administration in the last one and half years has led the state with a deep sense of responsibility, guided by the fear of God and principle of transparency and accountability .

“I believe strongly that with you behind us, people will start to have a rethink about who Ekitis are. We are extremely dedicated people, we are hardworking, we are loyal, we are transparent, we are courageous but we don’t have access to opportunities and we lack platforms.

“But that platform that we lack is what God has provided through you. It is those platforms I’m asking, give us this platform, collaborate with us, assist us so that we can use your network and your platform to develop our people.”

He disclosed that his government has been able to change the narratives in the state by being strong on welfare issues and creating economic opportunities for the citizens.

These, he said has impacted positively on the standard of living of the residents as well as improve on economic development programmes of his predecessors.

The Governor added that every money that comes into the state’s coffers has been spent transparently and prudently, adding that his government has paid over N17 billion as pension, gratuity, car, and housing loans to Ekiti public servants since he took over as Governor of the State

“We believe strongly that with our six point agenda in the state today, we are intervening in infrastructure, we are revamping our health care services, we are doing education, free education, we give grants to schools, in the medical sectors we are confronting the problem of infrastructure, the problem of drugs, and we are also combatting the problem with staff.

“We are the second state in the country that has paid hazard allowance. We paid over N14 billion in pension, we are paying gratuities, we have committed N200 million every month to gratuities, we pay salaries as at when due.

“As of today we are not owing workers salary since we were sworn into office. We have paid arrears of pensions, given promotion arrears, we have paid contributions to our workers and you can call your people at home, we are very faithful when it comes to the issues of pensioners.

According to him, “We are conscious of the burden of history on us, we campaigned for this office, we made promises to the people, we begged them to vote for us, we are not here to complain and we are not complaining.

“We have accepted this responsibility and we don’t lack the capacity, we don’t lack the ability, we don’t lack the vision, we don’t lack the drive but we can do better than what we are doing with your help, so I’ve come to you today not as a Governor that knows it all, I’ve come to you as someone asking for help.”

How Suspect Behind Port Harcourt Explosion Was Arrested

The Source

June 26, 2024

By Charles Igbo

Thanks to the instruction given by the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, the suspect behind the detonation of an explosive in front of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, has been arrested.

The suspect whose name remain undisclosed, allegedly, detonated an explosive which hurt him badly, and killed one person during a pro-Police march in Porthacourt by supporters of the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Their protest was in support of the continued Police occupation of Local Government Secretariats after the expiration of the tenure of the Chairmen and Councillors, and the constitution of Interim Chairman and members by Governor Siminalayi Fubara who is at loggerheads with Wike, his estranged political godfather.

The occupation by the Police of the LGA Headquarters, roundly condemned by not a few people and groups, has made it impossible for those appointed by the Governor to operate from their offices.

The arrest of the suspect at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital was announced Tuesday night by Dr. Oreh who had, immediately, after the incident, alerted all Public and Private owned Hospitals to be on the look out for anybody who would come to seek treatment for wounds in the upper part of the body.

Oreh disclosed that those who took the suspect to the Hospital lied that he was a victim of a traffic accident. They left him and disappeared. But the medical team who took him in immediately to save his life, first, knew that the wounds were from an explosive and had nothing to do with a traffic accident.

After stabilising him, because he was semi-conscious on arrival, as instructed by Oreh, the hospital alerted the Police and the Ministry of Health and the State Government based on Oreh’s alert that they look out for “a young man with a traumatically dismembered upper limb”.

Announcing the arrest of the suspect Tuesday night, Commissioner Oreh said:

“Following that call, our medical facilities in the state were on a heightened sense of alert and so when a young man was brought to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with alleged injury sustained during what was said to be a road traffic accident the medical personnel that were on hand to examine him and offer care were on alert, and immediately recognised that the injuries seen on this individual were not in tandem with a road traffic accident, but rather resemble injuries that would have come from a blast.

“The individual was taken to the theatre for immediate resuscitation because as of the time he was brought in he was semi-conscious.

“The medical personnel did the needful and immediately informed the Rivers State Government. Immediately informed the Commissioner for Police and the Rivers State Ministry of Health about the presence of that individual in the facility even when providing emergency medical care to revive and resuscitate him.

“We are working with the Rivers State Police Command and so the Hospital has been fully secured, the premises and the perimeter have been fully secured.

“The patient is undergoing medical treatment. He is stable and the police are doing their own part in carrying out the necessary investigations.

“And so in this manner, we just seek to inform the public that this is the update following the earlier incident of today in Port Harcourt.”

A confirmation by the Police is awaited.

Why Abia Restricted Operations Of Tricyclists, Motorcycles

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 26, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government has imposed restriction on the operational time of tricyclists and motorcycle riders in the State.

Effective July 1, 2024, commercial tricyclists and motorcycle operators will only function from 6.00 am to 7.00 pm.

The restrictions order is to curtail the rising wave in criminal activities in some major cities of the State particularly, Aba the commercial centre, and Umuahia, the State Capital according to the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu.

At a Media briefing on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the Commissioner noted that the over riding aim of the restriction order is to secure lives and properties of law abiding citizens and residents.

Prince Nwachukwu lamented that of recent a lot of security breaches and issues, such as pick- pocketing, robbery and other criminal activities have been on the increase in Aba and Umuahia.

He stated that some innocent and law abiding citizens and residents have fallen victims to such unwarranted robbery attacks and other criminal tendencies.

According to him, findings revealed that most of the criminal elements perpetrate their activities with the aid of tricycles and motorcycles.

Prince Nwachukwu informed that before arriving at the restriction order, major stakeholders including the leaderships of the tricycle and motorcycle operators were carried along.

“A lot of reports have been lodged regarding an upsurge in criminal activities, particularly in major cities of the State.

“The reports available to Security Agencies indicate that most of the criminal activities like robberies do take place in the evening, late night and early morning hours in the cities.

“The Abia State Government has decided to curb the operations of the criminals who use tricycles (keke) and motorcycles to perpetrate their activities” the Commissioner stated.

Prince Nwachukwu equally announced that a Monitoring and Compliance Committee has been set up.

The Committee under the Chairmanship of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah, Rtd is to ensure that tricycles, motorcycles and Commercial vehicles operating in Abia State are properly registered.

“The State Government also believe that part of the ways to halt the criminal trend is to know exactly the owners and operators of the tricycles, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles operating in the state .

“So by that reason all commercial vehicles, motorcycles (okada), tricycles ,mini buses, full buses, and whatever anybody is using to operate commercial transport will be enumerated and registered so that in the event of criminal activities Government will know whose vehicle is responsible.”Nwachukwu noted.

While stating that Security Agencies in the State have been informed about the development, the Commissioner, however, assured that the restriction order will be reviewed as soon as practicable.

He equally promised that the policy will be implemented in line with due process and respect for the fundamental rights of law abiding citizens and residents.

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