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The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has made case for a federal Secretariat and other benefits from the federal government to the state.
Governor Ikpeazu who was speaking while receiving at the government House umuahia,the Federal Commissioner, representing Abia State at the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Henry Ogbulogo, who was in the State on a working visit stressed the need for more federal government presence in various sectors of the state.
The Governor used the forum to call on the federal Commissioner to join in the clarion call for a federal Secretariat in the State, adding that the mere absence of a Federal Secretariat further points to the absence of Federal presence in the State.
According to him, despite the fact that Abia is an oil producing State, it cannot boast of having any oil company with an office in Abia.
He pointed out that non of the companies that drill oil in the State reside in Abia but rather prefer to live in Rivers State from where they come to work in Abia and pay their taxes there.
Governor Ikpeazu noted that Abia is one of the most peaceful States devoid of youth restivness and appealed for a change in attitude by the Federal government. The Governor noted that the issues raised by the Federal Commissioner including construction of the road leading to its office in the State as well as compelling the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit their nominal rolls to the Commission and directed such MDAs in the state to do the needful as requested by the Commission.
Earlier in his speech, the Federal Commissioner, representing Abia State at the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Henry Ogbulogo appealed to the Governor to give the Commission necessary footing in the State as well as compel MDAS in the state to make available to the Commission necessary documents and nominal rolls to enable it carry out its job.
Mr. Ogbulogo said the Commission is mandated to monitor compliance to the guidelines and formula for employment and thanked the State government for providing land for the Secretariat of the Commission and requested that a facelift be given to the road leading to the Commission’s Secretariat in Umuahia.
Crystal News Correspondent reports that the Deputy Governor Sir Ude Okochukwu, the SSG Mr Chris Ezem, Commissioner for Information Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Chief of staff to the Governor Dr ACB Agbazuere among other top government functioneries were present at the event.
