The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu FNSE, has charged members of the Azumiri community in Ukwa LGA to desist from being a hindrance to the ongoing road construction in their community.
Engr. Emetu made this statement in his office in government house while addressing some delegates from Apumiri community on their attitude towards a road construction project by Akwa-Ibom state government.
He expressed his dismay on the fact that having previously had a meeting with some delegates of apumiri trying to allay their fears of annexation of a part of Azumiri into Akwa-Ibom yet, they still continued to act as a hindrance to the road construction.
In his word, “Abia state government had a discussion with Akwa-Ibom government on road construction and that the project construction company has no plan of annexing any part of Abia State.”
“It is the boundary council that has the duty to annex an area.”
He further explained that Akwa-Ibom government has been so generous to fix that road because their neighbouring local government into Abia state is not accessible due to bad road.
In addition, Emetu noted that 90 percent of the roads the present government met were not accessible and that they are making serious effort to fix them, hence any opportunity that comes on a platter of gold is embraced.
He informed them that Abia state government will deploy operation crush into Azumiri to make sure that the project sees the light of the day while reminding them that Akwa Ibom state government is still based on agreement, paying compensation to any person whose land or crops were destroyed in the course of the road construction.
One of the delegates from Azumiri, Barrister Fidelis Nnah while reacting to the Deputy Governors speech noted that they were gratified that the Deputy governor gave them audience and also gave a detailed explanation on Abia government’s stand on the road construction by Akwa-Ibom state.
He pointed out that Azumiri as a community has never kicked against it but rather they wanted to be sure that there is a written agreement between Abia state and Akwa Ibom State on the road project to avoid future boundary issues.
Also speaking the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Commander Macdonald Ubah assured the delegates from the Azumiri community that the government of Abia state cannot allow another state to take from them what is rightfully theirs .He encouraged them to cooperate with the company so that the road construction would be properly done.
Signed
Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent
Deputy Governors Office.
