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Tag: abia

  • Abia Assembly member dead

    The Abia State House of Assembly has announced the death of one of its members, Iheasimuo Nwogu.

    The late lawmaker represented Aba South.

    The Assembly declared a week of mourning for the late member.

    It also said all activities during the mourning period have been suspended to enable the lawmakers mourn their departed colleague well.

    Nwogu died on March 28; he will be buried on May 22.

    Addressing reporters at the Assembly’s monthly media briefing, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Allwell Asiforo Okere said the House would honour Nwogu with the suspension of all activities.

    The lawmaker said that the Assembly was collaborating with the state government and other arms of government to give their departed colleague a befitting burial.

    He said the Assembly would participate fully in the burial.

    The deputy speaker said Governor Theodore Orji led the executive arm of government to pay their condolences to the family of the deceased.

    According to him, the Assembly was assured that the state government would be fully represented during the burial.

    He also said the House had passed the 2014 Appropriation Bill of N115.3 billion, comprising N72.9 billion for recurrent expenditure and N42.3 billion for capital expenditure.

    Okere explained that the budget was slashed because the House passed a Supplementary Budget of N25.4 billion late last year.

     

     

  • ‘Repair federal roads in Abia’

    Abia State government has called on the Federal government to immediately commence work on the reconstruction of all federal roads in the state, especially the Aba/Ikot Ekpene, Port Harcourt roads, all in the commercial city of Aba.

    Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, the state Commissioner for Works, Emeka Longman Nwachukwu, said the call became necessary because of the deplorable condition of the roads which are affecting commercial activities in the state.

    Nwachukwu said the deplorable condition of the federal roads in the state which serve as link to other neighbouring states, are causing embarrassments to the state government, adding that the huge sum of money expended by the state government on maintaining the roads are yet to be reimbursed.

    He pleaded with the authorities at the Federal Ministry of Works to pay the outstanding money.

    He said: “When the money is repaid, the state government would be able to use it to do other things for the people.”

    He added that 51 roads are undergoing reconstruction across the state, stressing that each of the 17 local government areas is getting about three roads, including bridges.

    Nwachukwu said the state has become one huge construction site with the amount of construction going on in different parts of the state.

    “The quantity of construction work going on with limited resources at the disposal of the governor is a thing to wonder about.”

    He said all the contractors working in all sites have all gone back to site as Governor Orji has mobilised them with the necessary fund, adding that they do not have any reason not to work.

    The commissioner warned the contractors that government would not tolerate any form of delay, stressing that if any of them is found trying to play any form of pranks, he will be dealt with accordingly.

    He praised the Governor Orji for allowing all the contractors handling the works in the state to have local content.

    “This means that most of the contractors are locally based and have no need to disappear since they will easily be found in any corner of the state.”

    Nwachukwu said a lot of road construction is going on in the commercial city of Aba, adding that in the next few weeks, the governor will commence the process of road inauguration in all parts of the state.

    He warned residents of Aba to stop the habit of building on drainage system and blocking the drains, adding that government will soon commence the process of demolishing such structures built on such places.

  • Abia South PDP stakeholders hail Orji’s election

    Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party in Abia South have hailed the election of Governor Theodore Orji as the chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum .

    Some of the party members who spoke to our correspondent in Aba, described Orji’s appointment as not only timely, but a square peg in a square hole.

    They said that it was important that the governor became the southeast governors’ forum chairman, adding that his election into that position would attract more Federal Government’s attention to the region.

    Chief Friday Nwosu, a PDP chieftain, described the governor’s election as historic and well deserved, adding that, the election is a testimony to the laudable achievements of the governor and the stabilising role he is playing in the zone.

    According to him, “Abians are grateful to the governors and other stakeholders of the zone for the recognition accorded our first citizen. We rejoice with Governor Orji for this historic election. It is a confirmation of the fatherly role he is playing in the zone as well as his achievements in Abia State.”

    Nwosu who is a legal practitioner, stated that the election came at a time the South East Governors’ Forum needed a grassroot mobiliser like Governor Orji as the 2015 elections draw near.

    He thanked other governors for the peaceful manner in which the election was conducted and enjoined them to rally round their new chairman and President Goodluck Jonathan to protect the interest of the zone in the politics of the nation.

    Chief Simon Emeh, another PDP chieftain, said it wasn’t a mistake that the governor emerged the chairman after outgone Anambra Governor Peter Obi.

    According to him, “Ochendo has performed so well in the things that concerned Igbo race. He is also, one of the modern leaders we have that have emerged as the chairman of the forum. Ochendo suspends anything he is doing in Abia State immediately it concerns anything about the Southeast. Since 2007 till date, he has been participating effectively. He will use his humility to attract so many things to the Southeast. Since Mr. President is a friend to the current chairman of the forum, I think whatever that is our need; the president will give it a listening ear.

  • Abia Police parade suspected robbers, childtraffickers, kidnappers

    Abia Police parade suspected robbers, childtraffickers, kidnappers

    THE Abia State Police Command has recorded a big victory in its fight against crime in the state, parading ten suspected armed robbers, two suspected child traffickers and four suspected kidnappers, with a promise to charge them to court as soon as investigations into their cases are concluded. Speaking with newsmen while parading the suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu, said that four of the suspects were arrested when one Cyril Ezuma approached Francis Ogbonna and showed interest in driving his Toyota Sienna. Adamu said that the plan was to drive the car, with registration number YG 836 ENU, on the bases of hire purchase. Ogbonna was said to have agreed to the deal, but asked Ezuma to come back in the evening to formalize the agreement. “But before evening of that day, armed robbers came and took the car away. Ezuma also failed to return for the car as arranged.” The police boss said the car later developed fault as it was being taken away with a fake plate number, GA 466 ABJ. He gave the names of the suspects as Nkurume Uwaoma, Emeka Ugwom, Cyril Ezuma, Princewill Nnabugwu and Eze Fidelis. The Command also paraded another set of four armed robbery suspects who specialized in operating on motorcycles. They were alleged to have robbed one Mbaizu Charles of his Toyota Camry car and two mobile phones and an ATM card. The CP said the suspects were arrested by his men while on routine stop and search operation along Uzuakoli/Ohafia road. According to him, a police team intercepted the car carrying the trio of Eze Ogwe, Emeka Aluwa and Ikechukwu Johnson, who were allegedly on their way to sell the car in Aba. The suspects were said to have attempted to bribe the policemen with the sum of N10,000. Two suspected child traffickers, Obioma Adieze and Esther Nwachukwu, both indigenes of Umuokiri village Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state, were also paraded. The suspects and two others, said to be at large, allegedly attempted to steal a two-year-old baby, Stella Ajuziogu. Also paraded were four suspected kidnappers- Jonathan Joshua, Kelechi Chukwu, Chikaodi Uwa and Abraham Joshua. They were accused of kidnapping one Faithwin Nnenna.

  • Buhari storms Abia for Emenike’s father-in-law’s funeral

    Buhari storms Abia for Emenike’s father-in-law’s funeral

    All Progressives Congress (APC)  and former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari led other dignitaries to bid farewell to the father-in-law of an APC chieftain and publisher Chief Ikechi Emenike in Umule, a village in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State reports UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE

    All eyes were on him. Not a few, perhaps, were surprised that he was in a church. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a major promoter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Head of State, did not only attend the church service for the funeral of Sir Martin Ohadiugha, he also participated in all the Christian rites. He stood when the presiding priest requested all to stand. There was simply no airs around him. He just flowed with the tide.

    And Chief Ikechi Emenike, a chieftain of the APC and publisher, who is son-in-law of the deceased, played the perfect host.

    The funeral service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umule attracted Christians of all denominations. Muslims were also not left out of the funeral for this man, who was said to have led exemplary life.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, his deputy, Eze Madumere, ace columnist Mohammed Haruna and many other dignitaries also witnessed the service.

    Speaking while delivering his homily at Umule Ohuhu in Umuahia North

    Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Lucius Ugorji described the funeral service as the way Nigerians are supposed to live together in harmony.

    Bishop Ugorji said the funeral service, which attracted many Methodist

    Church Bishops, Assemblies of God Church ministers, and Muslims, including Gen. Buhari, depicted how peaceful co-existence should be.

    He said: “This burial is a unifying factor for all the people of the country to learn that there is no problem living together, as we can see ministers of God of different denominations coming together to worship and pray for the repose of the sole of the dead, including a Muslim like Gen. Buhari.”

    The Catholic cleric said if people would come together, the country would be one united family irrespective of tribe, religion and culture.

    Bishop Ugorji said the life of every Christian should revolve around sacrifice, adding that there were four cardinal points in life, including death, judgment, heaven and hell.

    It was indeed a fitting funeral for a man many described as epitome of virtues, a good father and a fantastic leader.

  • ‘Why we are building airport in Abia’

    ‘Why we are building airport in Abia’

    Mr James Kwubiri Okpara is the Abia State Commissioner for Special Services. He is in charge of Legal and Due Process.  In this interview with EDOZIE UDEZE and UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE, Okpara sheds more light on what the new portfolio entails and why the government is building an airport.

    What does this new ministry entail? Is it different from the Ministry of Special Duties?

    It is not really a ministry. It is a department attached to the governor’s office. My thinking is this; in the evolution of governance, it became apparent to the governor of the state, Chief Theodore A. Orji that there was a need for an office like this.

    If you look at the nomenclature, it is more or less a specialised office. I am aware that we don’t have a Commissioner for Legal Matters in the state. Even at the Federal level we do not have such. And so basically, it deals with issues concerning private businesses, private companies, and so on.

    The need to do business with these people, that is at the level where they have contacts with government, falls within my purview. In fact, we deal with government contract agreements, memorandum of understanding (MoU), all legal instruments relating to Abia State. When it comes to due process, it entails doing the right thing at the right time. We also ensure that there is fairness in dealing with these issues. We also ensure that there is efficiency and honesty in the way things are done in the state.

    Concerning special services, wherever the need arises and where we are needed, we promptly go there to look at these issues. The issues the governor considered before he established this office are what we deal with from day-to-day to also lessen the burden on the office of the governor. This is why it is placed directly under him. I work in his office, taking total charge of all the issues and matters I have already enumerated here.

    Is your office directly involved in signing, approving and evaluating contracts?

    Yes, my office is involved. But we have not gotten to a level where a contract is either abandoned or uncompleted. This office is just about three months old and so far, there are no cases of that nature. In fact, in Abia State, we do not have cases of abandoned projects. It appears you are jumping the gun by judging us on this issue. This is an office that has just been created. That kind of situation has not arisen and when it does, we’ll sort it out.

    But you need to explain these issues well for people to really understand what you do.

    These agreements are relative. If you enter into a contractual agreement, for each one there is a different agreement. It depends on the issues involved in that particular agreement and so on. Each agreement is therefore relative, for it depends on what you agree with and the level of contract given to you. What applies to you may not apply to the other person. It all depends on the agreement of the parties concerned. If you go round Abia, we do not, as yet, have incidents of abandoned contracts.

    Why?

    In Abia, we award contracts and we pay contractors to do their jobs and do them well. We do not therefore have issues like that. When we get to that bridge we’ll cross it or we’ll know what to do. Or let me put it this way, when we have problems of abandoned contracts, we’ll sort it out.

    Due Process in the state is working. If it is not working why am I here? It is for government to do certain things well. You have to understand these things. It is not only for government to award contracts, but for us to do things within the fulcrum of whatever government is doing for the good of the people. It has to do with how we relate with the people, how we advice them, whether what we do appeals to them and so on and so forth.

    For us, due process is not only for the award of contracts or monetary issue. We also look at other pressing issues relevant to the welfare of the people. In it, you give everybody a fair chance before taking a decision. It is total package that goes beyond mere contracts. When we have done all these and you feel aggrieved, you will send petition and we look at it. This is why it is due process and this is why I said it entails doing the right thing at the right time.

    If there is a breach of contract between you and a contractor, how do you resolve it?

    If it cannot be settled amicably, we go to court. Every agreement has its own rules and regulations that guide it. And if per chance such issues arise, the courts are there to settle the matter. If they do not want to go to court, they can go to the arbitration panel to settle the matter. In our own case, when people come and see that we are different, they fall in line. Abia State is different. It is real. Our due process is real.

    How do you deal with the airport project being executed by the state government?

    By the grace of God I am the secretary of the airport committee and we have said it several times that we are committed to giving an airport to the people of Abia State.

    The avalanche of expression of interest by the people of Abia shows that this is a project they all need and yearn for. In this matter too, contractors have been given a fair chance to bid for the work. We have both Nigerian and Chinese companies bidding for it. We also have an Irish company who wants to partner with the Abia State government to ensure that this becomes a reality. It is unusual because they come to approach you and not you going to approach them.

    This tells you that people outside realise what government is doing to better the lot of the people. If, for instance, they do not have confidence in government, they will not come forward to be involved in this airport project.

    If you look at the old Umuahia Market which is under construction, you will notice it is under private investors. If investors have no reasons to be here, they won’t come.

    Is building an airport for Abia people necessary and viable?

    The people of Abia State have asked for an airport and we are bent on providing one for them. The request made by Abia people for an airport is indeed overwhelming. The volume of passenger traffic from Owerri Airport to Abuja and Lagos shows that the people of Abia constitute the majority. The people of Abia State travelling from here to outside the country on a daily basis are overwhelming.

    Closest to us here is the Owerri Airport and nearly 80 per cent of people who use it are from Abia State. It is verifiable. So, the pressure is on us to build our own airport to solve this problem.

    The same applies to Enugu Airport and the same with Port Harcourt Airport. Don’t forget that Aba is in Abia State and it is one of the most memorable commercial cities in Nigeria.

    So, the request by Abia people for an airport is a momentum that has built over the years. And now the government says this is the right time to give Abia people an airport.

    This is why we are building a modern airport. It is for cargo and will also be of international standard. It will be ready as soon as practicable and it will ease some of these traffic pressures on our people. The project has started and it is located between Umuahia and Aba.

    The projection of the governor is that before he leaves office, the airport should be functional. That is the expectation but if by any means it is not functional, majority of the jobs would have been done. It is a priority project for the government and we are totally committed to it.

    In terms of infrastructural development, would you say this government has done well to satisfy the yearnings of the people?

    Based on the projects we have executed so far, if possible, we can ask the governor to go for a third term (laughs). If you knew how this state was before, you’ll see how far we have gone in terms of infrastructural development. Before now, we didn’t have a proper Government House. What we have now is a three-bedroom duplex that is called Government House. There is no state in Nigeria that its Government House is only three bedrooms duplex. This state was created in 1991 and therefore we are now building a new Government House that is big enough to serve as one.

    If you go round Umuahia, you will see dilapidated structures scattered here and there as government departments. Abia State is probably the only state without the presence of federal ministries or secretariat. Now, the governor has built one. He also built an international conference centre of about 7,000 capacities. Ours is next to that of Abuja. What we had before could only contain 200 people. Today, that headache is gone, for we have a big conference centre of international standard for our programmes. Towards Ikot-Ekpene, you will also see a new computerised centre. You have an e-library and about 200 new health centres which have been built by the administration of Governor Orji. They are well-equipped, functional and provided with boreholes and other modern facilities.

    These places are provided with modern generating sets in case there is no electricity. These are scattered in the 17 local government areas of the state. You have all the modern hospitals working everyday of the week. These are not stories and we didn’t have them before. When you go round the state, these structures and facilities are visible for you to see. If you go to our cancer diagnosis centre, it is the best in the whole of Southeast of Nigeria. The equipment are of the best quality in the whole area and we intend to maintain the standard.

    All the tests you go to do in India, in America and all over the places, we have them in Aba and Umuahia and they are affordable.

    In terms of security, when last did you hear of kidnapping in the state? We have secured the state and our people come home now and sleep with their eyes closed. Armed robbery has also reduced. I can assure you that Abia State is the most secured state in Nigeria today.

    You also talk about youth empowerment. Have you seen any government in Nigeria that purchased brand new cars for the youth to use as taxis free? Government has done it to help the youth and provide jobs for them.

    We also give out tricycles, buses and more to help the youth. Of course, this has helped to stem the crime rate and keep the people busy in meaningful ways.

    We also pay stipends to some jobless Abia youths. Many new roads are being constructed. What we remember is the bad aspect but ignore those that are good.

    The Federal Government has awarded contract for the construction of Enugu–Port Harcourt Road. I also understand there was plan sometime ago to do Umuahia–Ikot-Ekpene Road.

    All I know is that in terms of movement, Abia roads are much better now than before. The state government, from time to time, rehabilitates federal roads to make life easier for the people.

  • Abia monarch celebrates anniversary

    Abia monarch celebrates anniversary

    The traditional ruler of Aba in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Eze Isaac Ikonne the Enyi 1 of Aba has marked both his 85th birthday and 41st anniversary celebration on the throne penultimate Friday. Though the celebrations were supposed to be joyous, an unsavoury incident would have made them events to be regretted.

    At the event, the Deputy Governor Chief Emeka Ananaba was already seated at the Boys’ Trade Centre (BTC) Aba, venue of the event. In terms of protocol, no other individual would come into the arena as it was expected that everybody would have been seated before the governor or his deputy comes into the event venue.

    The Deputy Governor was already seated and the ceremony was in progress when some siring-blaring vehicles drove into the venue of the event. It was Chief Reagan John Ufomba, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2011 general elections.

    Regarded as an affront to the personality of the Deputy Governor, his security details moved to stop the vehicles from driving into the venue.

    To avoid any fracas, the Deputy Governor called back his men and stopped them from confronting the convoy of Ufomba from driving into the school premises. However, they succeeded in stopping the siring from blaring and disrupting the proceeding. While this was going on, Ufomba’s supporters were ready to confront the security details of the Deputy Governor, when Ufomba called them to order.

    But for the mature manner the two men handled the situation, there would have been bloodshed.

    The incident forced the two Master of ceremonies Linda Osuoha and Godspower Nwagbara to insist that the programme is not a political rally or ground for political campaign, even as they insisted that there should be no party slogans, as the celebrator is a man of peace who would not want crisis to erupt at his ceremony.

    It was after the announcement that the political maturity was displayed, as the APGA governorship hopeful in the state immediately alighted from his car, directed his people to stop all the vehicles as the Deputy Governor who was representing the governor, Chief Theodore Orji and his wife, Mrs. Nene Ananaba who represented the President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan and the governor’s wife, Lady Mercy Orji were already seated.

    Ufomba quickly walked towards the celebrator, Eze Ikonne greeted him and apologised for coming late and had no intention of disrupting the ceremony. He also walked to the Deputy Governor and his wife and apologised, saying that he was sorry for what happened since he never knew that they were already seated, which the Deputy Governor accepted. They immediately embraced themselves.

    The action of the two politicians at the venue of the celebration took the supporters of Ufomba unawares as they were surprised at the behaviour of their principal. Some of them were already angling for a fight with the security details of the state Deputy Governor.

    The ceremony started with the celebrator’s welcome address which was read by one of his sons. He thanked Governor Theodore Orji and his wife for their outstanding achievements in repositioning the state for accelerated growth and development in the state.

    Eze Ikonne said: “It is worth mentioning that your efforts at promoting good governance, protection of lives and properties, economic growth and infrastructural development in the state are yielding the desired results. Today, Abia State is a haven for peace, a vital ingredient for sustainable development.”

    He used the forum to plead with the governor to heed to the voice of the people of the state, especially the Abia Central Senatorial zone by vying for a seat at the Senate, saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God.

    “You have done well and the people cannot afford to lose your kind of political potential in the political arena for now,” he said.

    The monarch later conferred on the wife of the President, Dame Jonathan a chieftaincy title of Ada Ugo 1 (priceless daughter) of Eziama, Aba and the title was received on behalf of the President’s wife by the wife of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Ananaba.

    Eze Ikonne further said she was chosen for the honour because of her outstanding qualities and her drive for human development which he said has impacted positively on the women and children of the country.

    Speaking after the investiture, Dame Jonathan thanked the royal father for the honour bestowed on her and promised to keep working and supporting her husband to ensure a peaceful country where the citizens will have the freedom to express themselves without any fear.

    In his speech, the governor, who was represented by his deputy, congratulated the celebrator on his double anniversary. He prayed that God should grant him more rewarding years and good health to continue to serve his people.

    The next chieftaincy title of Agbawo dike izu (decisions cannot be taken behind a strong man) was conferred on Chief Ufomba, who quickly after the conferment went to greet the Deputy Governor, who embraced him and congratulated him on his new title.

    At the end of the ceremony, the Deputy Governor walked to the canopy where Ufomba sat with his wife, friends and supporters to greet him before leaving for Umuahia.

    People praised their show of maturity, saying it was an exemplary display of politics without bitterness.

  • Abia governor’s son’s aide killed at reception

    The son of Abia state governor, Chinedum Orji escaped death on Saturday as a gun shot fire around him killed his personal assistant, John Ndubuka.
    Chinedum had accompanied his parents to a civic reception held in the honour his father by Ikwuano/Umuahia people when the incident happened.

    Ndubuka was killed when a bullet pierced his chest through his back.

    He was pronounced dead on arrival by doctors at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where he was rushed to after the incident.

    The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Police Command Ibrahim Adamu has reportedly placed detectives of the State Criminal Investigations Department on the alert to fish out those responsible for the shooting.

    Our source disclosed that shortly after the reception at the former Umuahia Main Market was concluded at about 4.30pm, the governor and his entourage left for the home of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, where guests were entertained.

    The source said the governor’s son and his aides were also leaving the venue at about 5.15p.m when a single shot rang out at the direction of his car. Orji was said to have entered his car while his deceased aide was walking down beside the car.

    The source said the bullet which was fired from the back hit the aide on the back shoulder, pierced through his right rib and emerged through the chest, leaving him with blood rushing out from the deep hole caused by the bullet.

    The governor’s son and others who saw Ndubuka clutching his chest and blood dripping down his white shirt were said to have rushed him to FMC, where he was pronounced dead.

    Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, the state Commissioner for Information , Eze Chikamnayo said that what seemed to be an accidental discharge that led to the death of the aide to the son of the governor is being investigated by the state command of the Nigeria police.

    Chikamnayo,said the victim, Ndubuka was hit by a bullet that killed him from an unknown source while leaving the venue at the end of a civic reception organized by Ikwuano/Umuahia people for the governor last saturday.

    The Commissioner said that as the vehicle of the son of the governor was leaving the scene with other dignitaries, the crowd, especially youths started surging and law enforcement agents released two gun shots.

    He said a third gunshot was later heard which led to the fatality, adding that nothing could be ruled out including accidental discharge, assassination attempt on the life of the son of the governor or even a shot from a sniper.

    The commissioner said that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and assured that the police will get to the root of the matter.

  • Abia launches girls, women initiative

    Abia State government has launched the Girls and Women Initiative in Nigeria (G-WIN) project, aimed at building capacities for rural women and girls to become leaders in water management.

    The project is also to help them to be self-reliant.

    Abia is one of the four states chosen for the project.

    Speaking in Umuahia at the workshop-cum-launching of the pilotprogramme,the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said it was an initiative of the Governor Theodore Orju administration to empower women and girls.

    The minister, represented by the Director of Water Quality Control in the ministry, Mr. Samuel Umeh, said G-WIN project aims to create employment and wealth and alleviate poverty through the provision of water kiosks and public sanitation facilities.

    She added that it would enhance the capacity of women to take ownership of the facilities.

    Mrs. Ochekpe said Abia, Bauchi, Osun andPlateau were selected for the pilot project, adding that each is expected to bring two local governments.

    She said the project would provide water and sanitation facilities in public places in the selected local governments.

  • Abia thanks US for lifting travel ban

    Abia thanks US for lifting travel ban

    Abia State government has thanked the United States of America for lifting the travel ban restricting its citizens from visiting the state and some other states in the country. The ban was in force for about four years.

    The travel restriction came on the heels of frequent kidnapping in Abia and other states.

    It is believed that the lifting of the travel ban is a strong testimony of the security network set up by the Governor Theodore Orji administration during the period kidnappers nearly overran the state.

    Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, the state capital, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Charles Ajunwa recalled that the United States of America had asked its citizens not to travel to the state and some others in the country because of the prevailing kidnapping and other violent crimes at the time.

    Ajunwa said that with the lifting of the travel ban by, Americans will now join other foreign nationals who are eager to come to the state for investment opportunities, stressing that the government of the day is ever willing to protect both visitors and indigenes at any time.

    He said since 2010 when that country placed travel ban to Abia, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Edo states which was suspended last week by the United states Department of State, only Indians, Chinese and Italian nationals have dominated investments in the state, adding that with this development that there will be a healthy competition among other investors.

    The CPS expressed the gratitude of the Abia state government to the United States of Americafor including the state as one of those that is secured enough to attract the relaxation of the travel ban in the country and urged willing investors from America to feel free to come to the state.

    He noted that the last yuletide period attracted more Abians from other parts of the country and abroad to the state, adding that it was the most peaceful festive period with little or no crime recorded in the state.

    He said that many of the holidaymakers have been commending the government for making the state secure and peaceful, which made most of them, who had been unable to come home in the past for fear of insecurity to do so this time.

    Ajunwa explained that the state government it is not against criticism but frowned at those who use the media including the social media to attack the state first family without substantiating their allegations.

    He said that the state government has embarked on projects that should have been taken for granted, given the period the state was created, which include the state secretariat, Government House complex, International Conference Centre among others being built by the Orji administration.