Abia Government Reveals Plan To Tackle illegally Acquired landed properties, Warn Schools Head, Begins Lokpanta Cattle Market Plan, Others

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has vowed to reclaim all government landed properties allegedly acquired fraudulently by private individuals in the state.

The commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state Prince Okey Kanu, announced this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the week’s state Executive Council meeting presided by Governor Alex Otti on Monday.

The commissioner who spoke alongside with his counterparts of Education in the state Prof. Uche Eme Uche and Lands and Housing Mr Chaka Uchechukwuemereije, insisted that land acquisition in the state must follow all laid down due process, adding that the era when government lands were given people by their cronies in government illegally was over.

The state Information boss also warmed Principals and Head teachers of public schools to refrain from leasing school premises for social events during school days.

He said its has come to the notice of the state government that such practice was disrupting teaching and learning in the affected schools.

Kanu warned the government will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on heads of schools found disobeying the government directive.

He also revealed that it has come to the notice of government that some owners of private schools that were initially closed in the state have reopened them without meeting the minimum requirements for running such of schools in the state.

Kanu, noted that the affected schools should remain closed until the state Ministry of Education approve their license to commence operation once again.

The commissioner also revealed that the state government has not rescinded its decision to make the Lokpanta Cattle market a daily market as a way of checkmating the activities of criminals around the area.

“The state government has commenced the perimeter fencing of the state market and in no distance time the project will be completed”, he said.

The Information Commissioner said the state government Geometry Generating Company in Aba the commercial hub of the state will be inaugurated on February 24 to assist private entrepreneurs with steady power supply to do their business.

Speaking on the shortfall noticed in the payment of some primary teachers salaries in the state,
the Commissioner for Education in the state Prof. Uche Eme Uche, said the Ministry of Education was investigating the alleged trend together with the Ministry of Fiance to ensure that teachers receive their salaries as and when due.

She warmed all private schools in the state to desist from charging extra fees outside government approved school fees. The commissioner urged parents to report schools found wanting to the appropriate authorities for proper investigation and sanctioning.

The Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the state Mr Chaka Chukwuemereije, announced that the state government is actively collaborating with the Federal Goverment to actualize the construction of the proposed Trailer park, Arongwa in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state was ongoing.

He cleared the air that the park was to intended to serve as a settlement for drivers, adding the project was meant to reduce traffic on the Osisioma, Arongwa and Umuikaa axis of the Enugu/Port Harcourt express way.

Chukwuemereije, said inline with its resolved to facility the ease of doing business, the state government has expedited action in issuance of certificate of occupancy, with 200 C Of O already signed by January this year.