“We will stop all kinds of touting, extortion, harrassement and intimidation of our citizens” Those were the words of Governor Alex Otti at different fora during the campaigns.The First Class economist believed that the gospel of ease of doing business would be a mirage if well intended practical measures were not put in place to create the enabling environment for investors and business men and women to carry out their legitimate business activities without hindrance.
Governor Alex Otti didn’t just create the Abia Harmonised Taskforce after instructing for the dissolution of multiple and self serving taskforces that existed in the state, he gave a firm directive for the integration and unification of all of them into one buody, but that they must be freshly and carefully selected in a manner that wouldn’t give room for the selection of undesirable elements.
In selecting these new operators, Civil servants were also given the opportunity to be part of it, even though many of them would later leave because of their inability to withstand the pressure associated with the job, but that decision explained the desire of the government to ensure that high level of sanity is brought into the system.
Again, in order to prevent all kinds of extortion from any member of the Harmonised Taskforce, the Governor directed for a recommendation which would see members of the taskforce remunerated on a monthly basis.This recommendation was quickly made and the Governor approved swiftly.
The State steering committee Chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu ensured the creation of different zones and layers of leadership like Zonal Leaders, Supervisors, Team leads etc, to enable for effectiveness, command and control, as well as supervision. With these measures, no body is allowed to wield absolute powers or indulge in infractions or acts of gross misconduct without being caught
Already, Aba and Umuahia have since started witnessing some level of sanity as touts who hitherto removed plate numbers, deflated tyres or hijacked vehicles belonging to innocent citizens, with the attendant extortion for alleged wrong parking, have since disappeared.
Also, supposed revenue agents working for the government now clearly know the far reaching consequences of harrasaing or extorting innocent Abians.
Again, the nuisance associated with reckless driving, wrong parking and illegal loading bays is being dealt a serious blow in different parts of Aba and Umuahia.
To ensure effective operation and hitch-free movement of members of the taskforce, Governor Alex Otti a few days ago handed over 15 units of 18 seater buses to the Harmonised Taskforce. This is unprecedented in our history. With this, no member of the taskforce will be seen moving around in rickety and unbranded buses.
With this gesture, the tempo of operation of the taskforce is definitely going to increase with many expected positive results.
Governor Alex Otti is very intentional and desirous of creating a New Abia that would have all the components and ambiance of a modern state, where decency, discipline and decorum would be a cherished norm and an important enabler of socio-economic development.
Ferdinand Ekeoma is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, and a member of the Steering Committtee, Abia Harmonised Taskforce.
July 15, 2024.
