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.