In the bid to achieve zero pothole policy of this Administration, Umuahia metropolis will be divided into three solely for sustainable easy maintenance of the township road network.
The Hon. Commissioner for Works, Engr. Don Otumchere Oti, who revealed this during a meeting he held with Engineers in the Ministry, said going forward, that government will be using the Engineers of the Ministry to carry out road maintenance to a large extent, using Umuahia metropolis as a pivotal startup, with time.
He added that the policy would be extended to Aba and other zones.
Engr. Oti, frowned at the previous method of engaging contractors for the minutest work, such as mere patching of street potholes, stressed that such anomaly would no longer be tolerated and opined that no responsible government will spend its scarce resources in such a manner when there is legion of professional Engineers in its payroll.
He reiterated that Engineers in the Ministry would be assigned to each of the divisions with the mandate of tackling potholes in their early stage before they get out of hand, reiterated that the assigned Engineers will be held accountable for any lapses in this new government directive.
The Works Boss disclosed that government will provide the Engineers with the necessary materials for this assignment, including logistics, safety kits, etc. He, therefore, charged them to discharge this assignment diligently and with expertise for optimal results; as no excuses will be condoned.
Responding, the Director ln-charge of the Ministry, Engr. Ejike Agomoh applauded the Hon. Commissioner for the laudable initiative and described it as a step in the right direction.
The Hon. Commissioner being well grounded in the field of engineering will no doubt drive the Ministry to an enviable height and complement the efforts of the Governor in achieving his vision in road infrastructural development in the state.
Engr. Agomoh further stated that Engineers in the Ministry were poised to discharge the duties for which they were employed and pledged their unalloyed support and loyalty to the Hon.Commissioner and Dr. Alex Otti led administration.
In a related release ,the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex directed the immediate ban on the operation of commercial motorcyclists, otherwise known as Okada, within Umuahia, the State capital, and Aba Metropolis.
According to a statement made available to Journalists by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Ukoh the directive takes immediate effect.
Part of the statement reads thus; “Effective Monday, August 14, 2023, any motorcycle seen on the streets of Umuahia and Aba townships being used for such purpose will be impounded by the security agencies”.
“Also, security agencies have been directed to arrest any individual caught violating this order, for possible prosecution.This directive takes immediate effect”.
