Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has banned the removal of vehicle number plates by persons suspected to be revenue collection agents of local governments in the state and urged citizens to report anyone attempting to remove such number plates to the nearest police station.
Fielding questions from journalists during an interactive program anchored at Real 99.1 FM station in Aba, Governor Ikpeazu described the act of removing vehicle number plates as criminal behavior and directed security agents to arrest and prosecute those engaged in the act. He pointed out that the state government only collects revenue through Abia State Internal Revenue Service and pleaded with citizens not to succumb to proposals to pay cash to any revenue enforcement agent.
Governor Ikpeazu who listed more than 16 road project sites where state contractors are currently working, assured residents of Ngwa, Ohanku and Obohia roads that his administration will reconstruct the roads in the area and deliver durable roads that will meet international road construction standards. He informed that the contractor handling Faulks Road Aba, Setraco Construction, will return to site next week to commence work on the binding course for the road with a view to handing over the road before the end of the dry season.
The Governor called on citizens to take advantage of the new Abia SME Microfinance Bank to finance their trade and SME development projects. According to him, “With the setting up of the first automated shoe factory in Aba, our people can travel to Togo and other West African countries to get orders for military boots and apply to the SME Microfinance bank to fund the supply at very low interest rate without the need for landed or such other properties as collaterals”.
On the flyover project, Governor Ikpeazu restated that the project which was commenced in 2017 will likely be realized within the first quarter of 2020 and called on citizens to be patient while his administration works out how to finance many more road infrastructure development projects. He further announced that the contractor handling Immaculate Avenue in Aba has returned to site and will complete the project soon while the asphalt overlay for portions of Eziukwu Road will be undertaken this dry season.
