Chief of Staff to governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Dr (Pastor) Caleb Ajagba has concurred that there is increasing rate of influx of people into the state, attributing the reason.

This scenario has impacted and impacting shortage of housing for the residents, pushing up rentage by about 300% as determined by demand and supply factors across the state especially in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital

Similarly, costs of procuring Land and Property has also risen astronomically despite that governor Otti administration has lightened the rigors and delays in issuance of Certificate of Occupancy within 30 days of application, to speed-up building of houses to meet daily rising demand.

A room and a three bed room- Flat accommodation that used to attract about N2000.00 and N10,000.00 monthly rent has risen to about N10,000.00 and N30,000.00 respectively, depending on their age, location and facilities available therein.

The COS who spoke in Umuahia during an interaction with members of the Correspondents Chapel of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), attributed the influx of people to the ongoing deliberate transformation efforts of the Otti administration to institutionalise good governance.

He said that the growing influx of people into the state is undeniable proof of renewed confidence in Abia State, stating that the results of the administration’s policies were already positioning Abia as a reference point for other states.

“He opined that Abia State has become a model for other states, expressing optimism that this pace of development would accelerate in the coming months.

” There is noticeable upsurge in the number of people coming into Abia State now. This is why there is an increase in house rent, which is also a reflection of the ongoing development, as development comes at a cost.”

Positing that before now, Umuahia was undeveloped, but suddenly, the value of properties therein has gone up up, the COS described this as evidence that good things are happening now in Abia, predicting that ” by the time Governor Otti, by the God’s grace completes his four years in office, and goes for another four years, Abia will be further top,”

He therefore attributed the progress made so far within three years of governor Otti administration to spiritual support, even as many people say it’s amazing and miraculous.

Tasking journalists to subsist objective reportage in accordance with their profession, he commended the leadership of the Correspondents Chapel led by Deacon Steve Oko, of the Vanguard Newspapers , “for leading by example.”

Chairman of Correspondents Chapel, Deacon Steve Oko, had in his welcome address , restated the commitment of the Chapel members to holding government accountable for the people in keeping with their professional calling.

Acknowledging the notable developments in the state under the governor Otti administration, Deacon Oko still tasked the Government to sustain it’s on-going efforts to transform the state for the good of the masses.

Pastor Ajagba assured that the governor Otti led Abia State Government cannot suppress the truth but would rather , encourage and support journalists to diligently discharge their legitimate duties.

According to COS Ajagba, who underscored the critical role of the media in sustaining accountability, stated that governor Otti administration’s stance on freedom of the press remains sacrosanct.

” We are not telling the press to suppress the truth, or keep quiet when they see or sense what is not going well in government including in governor Otti administration , if there is.

“Governor Otti will never tell you to suppress the truth hence , doing so would be gagging the press, and society will not be better for it. We want the press to remain objective in their reportage.

Stressing that the media is the platform to hold the leadership at all levels accountable—whether in government, business, or communities, the COS noted that the press has been a pivotal partner in restoring sanity and orderliness in society.”

“With your ( press ) oversight function, and the way you ( press ) look at issues from different angles, it can really help a government to do better,” the COS further stated.