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| Dr Okezie Ikpeazu Gov. Abia State |
The Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has called on the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to ensure the completion of on-going projects to fast-tract development and maintain peace in the oil producing areas of the state.
Dr Ikpeazu who made the call during the peace, security and enlightenment and sensitization program held at the Ukwa West local government area headquarters Okeikpe regretted that most projects earmarked and appropriated for the state by the Ministry over the years were still under construction or not executed despite the enabling environment provided for their contractors to carry out the projects.
The Governor represented by his Deputy ,Sir Ude Oko Chukwu pointed out that critical projects such the Owaza-Obehie-Azumiri-Ukanafor road, housing estate, skills acquisition center among others which would have been of immense benefits to the people had not been realized and appealed to traditional rulers, youths of Ukwa and other stakeholders to take advantage of the dialogue forum to express their grievances.
In his address, the Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Omotayo Alasoaduru said that the aim of the peace and security forum is to provide a platform for a multi-stakeholder dialogue with the people to resolve disputes, grievances and security related issues and expressed the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with well-meaning individuals and organizations to fast tract development of the region.
Senator Alasoaduru commended the people of the oil producing areas of the state for their peaceful nature and appropriated the state government for the warm reception accorded his team.
Presenting his address ,the Transition Committee Chairman of Ukwa West Local Government Area, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji described the peace and sensitization program as a step in the right direction and called on the Ministry to complete the Niger Delta Housing Estate in Ukwa West local government area, the skills acquisition center at Owaza to engage their youths in life sustaining ventures as well as order the contractor handling the Owaza-Obehie-Azumiri-Ukanafor road back to site.
The program which featured goodwill message from the permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Olusaade Adesola attracted the presence of the state commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Chief Ikpechukwu Onuoha, top government officials, traditional rulers from the oil producing areas of the state and stakeholders in the sector.
