Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has given very strong assurances to Abians that his administration will redouble its commitment to the service of Ndi Abia.
The Governor gave the assurance in his message of congratulated to the people of Abia State on the occasion of the New Year Day 2021.
A release by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the Governor is thankful to God for His love and kindness in keeping the people through the challenges that came with 2020, especially the pandemic of Covid-19.
According to the release, Governor Ikpeazu, while sending his deep condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones to the pandemic and other causes, further reminded Abians that the pandemic is still very much here with us and is likely to linger for a while, making it extremely imperative for everyone to take issues surrounding their health very seriously.
He assured that the upgrade of roads will remain a key factor in the policy thrust of his administration.
The release quotes the Governor: “Currently, my administration is working on 62 active sites across the state. We have made huge progress in this respect. We have completed and commissioned the Abiriba – Etitiama Nkporo Road in Ohafia LGA providing for our people there a standard road for the first time ever. We have completed the Aro Umuejie Road which links the Enugu PH Expressway to the Obikabia- Omoba Road which we had also completed.”
It further added that: “The reconstruction of the Ngwa Road, Uratta, Ohanku and Obohia Roads have commenced under our strategic partnership with the World Bank. This is the first time in about 30 years that any major attempt is being made at doing any meaningful work along this area. This is more than a road project. It includes flood water management and waste management. We are committed to the completion of these projects.”
Ikpeazu restated his administration’s commitment to the completion of all the road projects currently embarked across the state and assures that there will be massive improvement in the stock of roads and other critical infrastructure for the use of the people in the next one year.
The release assured Abia workers that the administration would remain committed to their welfare even more in 2021 maintaining that while the salaries of civil servants under the direct employ of the State Government have remained steady, the systematic offsetting of the salaries of workers in some of our parastatals which was kicked off in December 2020 will be sustained this year.
It also assured Abia pensioners that the arrears of their pensions will receive the same attention while the payment of their monthly pensions will be sustained in the new year.
The release informed the people of Abia State that the security architecture in the State will be further strengthened to ensure that our people are safe.
It explained that the establishment of the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Homeland Security Watch, CPAMS and the Abia Security Control Center were all designed to make the people feel safe to carry out their legitimate businesses with ease assuring that his administration will continue to support all Security Agencies in the State with equipment and operational vehicles to boost their readiness to battle criminals in our state.
The Governor also restated his readiness to establish a Garment Factory in Aba to complement the existing Show Factory which had long commenced production of shoes. The Governor is grateful to the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation for placing a hefty order from the Aba Shoe Factory which has kept them busy throughout the Christmas season.