The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti disclosed this during his monthly media chat tagged “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians”, held in Government House, Umuahia. He assured that his government is committed to tackling the issues of insecurity headlong without minding whose ox is gored.
Governor Otti said that prostitution, narcotics trade and other criminal vices around the Lokpanta Cattle Market necessitated the raid of the market as some brothels were recently brought down and there is now calmness in Umunneochi.
The Governor, who insisted that the Lokpanta market would become a daily market that would open at 6am and closes at 6pm would now become a general market as sections are alloted to the cattle dealers and other businesses too. He made it public that his administration is equally fencing the market all in an effort to ensure adequate security.
According to him, the Lokpanta area was notorious for kidnapping and armed robbery, hence the decision of his administration to make the market a daily one. He said though the policy was misunderstood, after a meeting with the leadership of the market, everyone agreed with the government’s stand on making the market a daily one for the good of all.
He further noted that, “We are single minded about rooting out insecurity in Abia State. Because we know that no government can succede in the face of insecurity, violence, armed and kidnapping.”
The State chief executive said that gadgets would be deployed at strategic places to ensure the security of lives and property in the State. He added that his administration is poised to ensure Abians enjoy a great Christmas this year and maintained that, “This government will not get involved in supporting insecurity. Our devices will be installed in strategic places.”
While responding to questions from newsmen, Governor Otti informed that his administration was deploying a different approach to secure the release of the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He added that such approach is not for public consumption.
“But I believe in result rather than media hype. We do not want the media noise. We are working very hard to ensure his release and the truth of the matter is that its not the present government that incarcerated Nnamdi Kanu. My personal position is that the new government does not need to inherit wrong thing of the previous administration.”
The Governor expressed optimism that his own approach would yield the needed result, and it is only when the result has been achieved that the public would be informed about it.
Governor Alex Otti, who said his administration is committed to infrastructure development of the State, disclosed that he has awarded the Ohafia-Abam–Okobo-Arochukwu road for construction. He also stated that construction work would soon commence in Nunya road in Isuikwuato LGA while informing that the Federal government would soon commence work on the Ohafia-Ututu-Ihechiowa-Amuvi.
The Governor used the opportunity to thank Abia people and residents for their massive support to his administration and enjoined them to have faith in his administration.
