Abia directs political appointees to take ownership of projects in their communities

From Peter Okore, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has directed political appointees across the state to take responsibility for monitoring and maintaining government projects located in their respective communities as part of efforts to ensure sustainability and proper upkeep of public infrastructure.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Umuahia.

Kanu said the directive forms part of the government’s strategy to strengthen community participation in the maintenance of public infrastructure and environmental sanitation.

According to him, political office holders, including local government chairmen, councillors and appointees at both state and local government levels, are expected to take active interest in projects and sanitation activities within their areas.

He explained that the appointees would be responsible for ensuring that minor repairs on public facilities are promptly addressed while also promoting cleanliness and hygiene in schools and communities.

“This is to ensure that minor repairs or improvements in infrastructure are handled as the need arises,” Kanu said.

“This is one way the state government is trying to build a bulwark of support for communities in the state from these appointees both at the state and the local government level,” he added.

Speaking on activities lined up to mark the third anniversary of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the commissioner announced that more than 25 road projects executed by the government would be commissioned before the end of May 2026.

The projects scheduled for inauguration include the Onuimo-Tower Road, Abiriba-Ohafia Road, Nunya-Isuikwuato Road and the Umuafai-Lodu-Ahiaeke-Okwuta Road, among others.

Also addressing journalists, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, warned motorists against driving against traffic and violating traffic regulations within the state.

Ekeoma said the government was concerned about increasing incidents of traffic violations, particularly in Umuahia, the state capital, stressing that offenders would be sanctioned in accordance with existing traffic laws.

“We’ve seen situations where some drivers ignore traffic lights and keep moving. The government will take a very strong stance against such individuals,” he said.

“Nobody should drive against traffic. Nobody should violate traffic laws here. We want to have a sane state capital and a sane state. It is in everybody’s interest that people respect traffic rules,” he added.

He noted that government officials, including the governor’s convoy, comply with traffic regulations and urged residents to do the same.