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Governor Alex Otti‘s government has sent a strong message that it will not permit criminal elements to undo the progress made so far, and will continue to work diligently to protect the state’s achievements and ensure a brighter future for its citizens.
During a media briefing after this week’s Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti, Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information and Culture, announced the state government’s firm stance against criminal elements and its dedication to protecting its accomplishments.
Prince Okey Kanu emphasized that the state government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities, stressing that such behavior will not be tolerated.
He cited the recent incident on Monday morning, where armed criminal elements clashed with security personnel in Aba, as a stark example of the challenges being addressed.
“Earlier today, criminal elements engaged the security personnel in a gunfight at Umuode community, along the Port Harcourt-Enugu Express Road, and later at Umuojima in Osisioma where they were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security forces.
“In the ensuing gunfight, one of the gunmen was neutralized, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries”
Prince Okey Kanu added that in the aftermath of the confrontation, a Highlander vehicle belonging to the criminal elements was abandoned by the fleeing gunmen and has since been taken into custody by the security agencies, serving as a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Read also: Otti: Abia’s Cycle Of Incompetent Leadership Finally Broken
The Commissioner cautioned that intelligence reports suggest the hoodlums are still active, seeking to cause mayhem, and advised the public to exercise extreme vigilance and cooperation with security agencies.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security Matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Uba (Rtd.) said, “What happened today is a testament to the fact that we have also reviewed our strategies.
“So my assurance is that going forward, it’s going to be a different ball game in the fight to rid our state of all kinds of criminal elements.
“There was no loss on the side of the security agents.”
He assured that the game had changed as it was no longer business as usual, adding that the security agencies were on the trail of the fleeing criminals.
In a bid to enhance Abia State’s competitiveness and attractiveness to investors, the state government has established a Council on Ease of Doing Business, Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information and Culture, announced, highlighting the government’s efforts to create a conducive business environment.
According to him, the governor “took a major step in his bid to reposition Abia State through reforming the state’s business environment to provide optimum services for investors and to give them confidence about doing business in Abia state.
“Abia State government has adopted the State’s Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) 2024, while also approving the 2023 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP) progress report.”
Prince Okey Kanu revealed that the Council on Ease of Doing Business is led by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, with other key members including Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, and Kingsley Anosike, Commissioner for Budget and Planning.
