Abia sets up task force to tackle touting 

The Abia State Government has approved the setting up of a unified task force to handle the enforcement of government policies and initiatives for the state and local government areas.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti on Monday.

Kanu said with the coming on board of the task force, touting and harassment of citizens would become a thing of the past in the state, adding that the task force would have coordinators with responsibilities.

The commissioner further disclosed that the state government is set to hold a retreat for members of the task force ahead of their formal inauguration by the state government.

He said the task force members would be drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies and the LGs in the metropolis.

“There will be a retreat later in the week for the take-off of the unified task force being sponsored by the state government. That is the one-stop-taskforce that will handle all issues of enforcement and government initiatives across the state.

“Once they are in place, every issue about touting and unnecessary harassment of Abia citizens and residents would cease,” he said.

The commissioner also revealed that there is an initiative and partnership taking place between the state government and some scouts from Hungary, who are already in the state as the first edition of the Governor’s Unity Games among secondary schools is ongoing in Umuahia.

He said, “The partnership would lead to the establishment of an International Sports College in Abia to provide opportunities for the young talents in the various sports activities to express themselves even beyond the shores of Nigeria.

“In line with the strategic approach to governance by His Excellency and this government, almost every sector is receiving attention, and sports is very much in the frame. There are ongoing sports, and there are scouts from Hungary. They have come to scout those kids. The government wants to run sports as a business that will, at the end of the day, benefit our youths,”

Kanu used the opportunity to announce that the state gvernor would, on Tuesday, March 26, flag off the construction of the 11.5km kilometres Nunya -Eluama Road.

He said the road that would pass through some adjoining communities such as Umuebere, Umunnekwu, Amiyi Obinohia, and  Amaba would open up the areas and make it possible for farmers to transport their produce to cities.

Also contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said that the unified task force is divided into six zones with Umuahia having two and Aba with four zones.