The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, has assured inmates of the destitute homes in the State that the Okezie Ikpeazu administration will ensure that their well being is well catered for.
Mrs Ikpeazu gave this assurance during a tour of all the destitute homes in Aba and Umuahia.
Speaking while interacting with the inmates, Mrs. Ikpeazu, told them that their well being was a paramount concern to the Governor, which promted him to specifically direct that she visit to be acquainted with their living conditions in order to improve and give them a sense of belonging in the society.
She also disclosed that Governor Ikpeazu, already had made provisions for those of them who want to aquire skills or vocational training to enable them become better persons in the society.
The Abia first Lady later discovered upon interface with the inmates, that many them were actually non indigenes of Abia State but were smuggled into the State from neighbouring states.
It was also revealed that most of the beggars were on a business contract with heartless individuals who sent them to the streets in order to make money off them and that some of them were beaten and tortured, should they refuse to embark on the ungodly business venture.
Mrs. Ikpeazu, who was moved to tears, assured them that such inhumane treatment will no longer be tolerated and anyone still indulging in such act should desist forthwith or be ready to face the long arm of the law.
Before now, the Governor had given a matching order to the Ministry of Women Affairs to get rid of beggars and mentally ill person off the streets of Abia. He directed they be evacuated into a home specifically built and equipped to accommodate such persons. The aim is for resuscitation and onward reintegration back to the society.
Speaking while receiving the wife of the Governor, the commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Mrs. Ukachi Amala, commended Governor Ikpeazu for providing a comfortable home for those picked off the streets.
She hinted that her office has since taken off about 600 persons from the streets while profiling is ongoing and assured the Governor that by the end of 2020, the streets of Abia would be rid of beggars and mentally ill persons.
The wife of the Governor, also used the occasion to visit the ongoing Altra modern construction site for the new destitutes home at Ovom road, Aba.
She donated food items, toiletries and reassured them that the State Government through Governor Ikpeazu, will not abandon them
ABIA ONLINE learnt that Mrs Ikpeazu was accompanied on tour by the wife of the deputy Governor, Lady Vivian Ude Oko-Chukwu, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Loveth Ojo Adimora and other top Government functionaries.