In a bid to improve power supply and boost businesses on 24 hours
circle, Abia State government has said it would soon install generating
sets and erect street lights along major roads leading to business
centres in Aba and Umuahia.
Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who stated this in
Aba, explained that the state government is determined to boost trade
and commerce in the state as well and ensure that the two cities run on
24 hour circle through the improvement of security, rehabilitation of
roads and power supply.
He said the state government is determined to extend business hours
through leveraging on power generating sets and the Ariaria Independent
power plant to lit up Faulks, Osusu road and other business centres in
Aba and Umuahia.
“We are working to put up street lights in Aba and Umuahia to extend
business hours. The state is losing night economy in Aba and Umuahia,
and we are determined to correct it. Power generating sets will be
installed and we are also leveraging on the Ariaria Independent power
plant. Geometric power will soon come on stream later this year; we want
to ensure that you can do business in the night in the state. Governor
Okezie Ikpeazu is determined to do more than he did in his first term.
The Commissioner disclosed that work would soon commence on Obohia,
Ohanku, Osusu , Port Harcourt and Ngwa roads immediately the rains
subside, stressing that the projects were being delayed due to work on
drainage channels and contractual issues by the Niger Delta development
Commission, NDDC.
“As soon as the rains subside, contractors will move in to fully
reconstruct Obiohia, Osusu, Ohanku, Port Harcourt and Ngwa roads. We
went in to do Obohia and Ohanku, but some people came to say they had
contracts on both roads. The issues have been sorted out. Again, we
could have not started work without doing the drainage channel on Port
Harcourt road which will take storm water through Ngwa road , Ohanku ,
Obohia to the Aba river. Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu doesn’t accept substandard
jobs; we cannot go back to the era of ‘Dubai’ roads in Aba by one of the
former administrations, if we had done it, we would have returned to do
the road within six months. We pledge quality jobs in all we do; we
can’t go below that standard.”