In line with the campaign promise of the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR to sanitize methods of revenue collection in the State and stop all kinds of extortion, intimidation and harassment of motorists.
The Governor has directed the immediate suspension of all kinds of Transport Levies payable to Abia State government and imposed on Tricycles (Keke), Buses, Taxis and other commercial vehicles plying Abia roads.
The Governor said the suspension takes immediate effect, and will remain until government reviews these levies and makes public its arrangements for the smooth, organized and transparent collection of such Transport Levies in a manner it would not lead to extortion, intimidation and violation of rights and privileges of Abia residents.
The government believes that the present method is archaic and very harmful to the lives of the people and the economic well-being of the state, and thus should not be allowed to continue.
In the light of the above decision, the Governor has asked all those involved, directly and indirectly to please discontinue forthwith, or face the wrath of the law, as security agents have been briefed and directed to apprehend and bring to and bring to justice anyone found violating this directive.
In a similar development, the Governor has approved the removal of the Education Secretaries of the 17 Local Governments.
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has approved the dissolution of the 17 Local Government Transition Committees and removal of all Chairmen and their Deputies.
The removed Chairmen are to hand over to the Heads of Service of their respective Local Governments.
Each affected Education Secretary is to hand over to the most Senior Director.
These directives take immediate effect, therefore, the affected persons should comply and ensure seamless transfer of power in the LGAs.
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Mr Timothy Iheke Kalu as the Sole Administrator of Umuehilegbu Industrial Market in Osisioma Local Government Area.
Following the appointment, the Governor has subsequently ordered the reopening of the market, which had been closed to commercial activities, owing to leadership crisis.
Mr. Kalu is to hold office for three (3) months within which period he would work with the various unions in the market to resolve all the issues that led to the closure of the market and a leadership properly instituted to enable the market function seamlessly.
However, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has appointed the following persons into the underlisted positions.
1. Prof. Kenneth Kalu -Secretary to the State Government.
2. Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD (Chief of Staff to the Governor).
3. Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo (Special Adviser Health Care Delivery Services)
4. Ferdinand Ekeoma (Special Adviser Media and Publicity)
5. Mr. Kazie Ukoh (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor)
6. Mrs. Njum Onyemenam, Accountant General Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke (Head, Special Taskforce on Emergency Cleanup of Aba & Umuahia).
Others include,
7. Mr. Mike Akpara – Special Adviser on Finance
8. Mr. Uwanna Ikechukwu – Senior Special Assistant on Legal Matters
9. Professor Uche Eme Uche – Special Adviser on Education
10. Professor Joel F. Ogbonna – Special Adviser on Petroleum and Energy
11. Dr. Clifford C. Agbaeze – Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture
12. Mr. Chimereze Okigbo – Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue
13. Mr. Uche Mark Nwosu – Chief of Protocol
14. Mr. Uche Ukeje – Senior Special Assistant on Aba Rejuvenation
15. Mr. Dodoh Okafor – Special Assistant on Public Communication
16. Mr. Uzor Nwachukwu – Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
17. Mr. Kingsley Anosike – Special Adviser on Planning and Strategy
18. Mr. Uzoma Nwagba – Senior Special Assistant on Digital Economy and SME
19. Rev Father Christian Uche Anokwuru, PhD – Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions
20. Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas – Special Assistant on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation
21. Pastor Dike Nwankwo – Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties
22. Mr. Okey Kanu – Special Adviser on Strategic Communication
23. Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Emeka-Obasi – Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties
24. Mr. Chinedu Ekeke – Senior Special Assistant Youth and Sports Development
25. Mr. Chuka Ofili – Senior Special Assistant, Domestic
26. Hon Luke Ukara Onyeani – Senior Special Assistant on Legislative Matters
27. Navy Commander Macdonald Ubah (Rtd) – Special Adviser on Security
28. Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu – Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce
