Abia Govt Warns against Extortion of Traders at Ngwa Road Mkt Aba

The Abia state government has warned those who extort traders at Ngwa Road market, Aba to desist forthwith or face persecution. 

The Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu who gave the warning on Monday while briefing newsmen at the end of week’s executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu noted that the State government has the details and identities of those involved in such criminal acts.

He said the warning serves as the last opportunity for them to repent of their evil ways, turn a new leaf, and do things correctly.

“By this announcement, the state government is giving the last opportunity to those involved to desist from these criminal activities,” Kanu said.

“Some families have been implicated in these criminal acts. 

But in line with the governance philosophy of the state government, they are being given the last opportunity to repent of the evil ways, turn a new leaf, and do things correctly or else, the full wrath of the law will be brought to bear on all those involved. 

“Let me conclude by saying that testing the will of this government in this regard would be an unprofitable venture for those involved.”

The Commissioner disclosed the Abia State government, through the Ministry of Transport, has rekindled its plans to strengthen the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations across the state.

To this end, offenders including those who drive against traffic, along with traffic light offenders, picking up passengers on the road, otherwise known as ‘Akanelu’ will be fined or prosecuted depending on the severity of the traffic offense. 

“Also, touting and extortions in the parks and along the roads remain prohibited,” the Commissioner said.

He disclosed that after taking delivery of the first 40 buses for its mass transit programme, the State government plans to extend the services to far-flung local government areas of the state, such as Arochukwu, Umunneochi, and others. 

He said the idea is in line with the government’s governance philosophy that the ordinary citizens of the state and who live in the hinterlands are the undisputed beneficiaries of its social services and programs. 

He informed that earth works have commenced at Abia Industrial and Innovation Park AIIP, with the completion of payments of compensation to all those enumerated. 

He said that the company behind the modular refinery project, HSI Energy, is ahead of others having obtained almost all necessary approvals from the regulatory bodies in the oil industry.