Abia upbeat on demolition of structures

By Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia on October 7, 2015 12:28 am

Creates rural, urban devt zones

In line with its touted policy on rural/urban renewal, the Abia
State Government yesterday re-iterated its resolve to continue
demolishing structures obstructing road construction works in
the state.

Also, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has announced four committees
for the four newly created Rural-Urban Development Zones in
Omoba, Ohafia, Ovim and Obehie.

Ikpeazu’s government had,
upon its inception, announced Rural/Urban Renewal as one of
its five cardinal policy thrusts.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu, the
governor’s vision in propagating the policy was to revive some
mini cities — Omoba, Mbawsi, Ovim, Ohafia, Obehie, Akwete
and Azumini — which were once a beehive of commercial
activities during the colonial and post-colonial era.”

According to him, “committees have been constituted for each
of the zones whose members are selected from their zones
charged with the task of directing this developmental effort in
their respective zones.

Adindu said that the policy would reduce rural/urban migration,
especially among youths, just as government intends to
actualise its objectives through public-private sector
partnerships.

He added that more revenue would be realised
and employment opportunities created.

Adindu counseled Aba residents to show understanding with
government over the various construction works going on in
the city in which structures, which became illegal because they
did not comply with Town and Country Planning Act, were
being demolished.

His words: “I appeal to residents to bear the pains, as there is
no part of the world that such ongoing environmental sanitation
and construction works would not cause pains and
inconvenience on residents.

“The magic that we need now is patience.

 The governor is
working round the clock to ensure that he fulfills his promise of
delivering quality roads to Aba people as well as return its lost
glory; and, by so doing, the governor is walking a tight rope
with our lean finances to achieve this dream.”


On the recent protest by the state APGA Chairman, Rev.
Augustine Ehiemere, over the demolition of illegal buildings at
Aba, which Ehiemere accused government of targeting only
properties of APGA members and its sympathisers, Adindu
challenged those whose building were affected by the exercise
to produce evidence that their structures complied with the
Town Planning Act.