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Abia moves to establish industrial policy

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Abia State Government says the time has come to put an industrial policy in place, one that will drive the state’s industrial development.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting held on Monday and chaired by the state governor, Alex Otti.

Kanu informed, “The state government believes that the time has come for an industrial policy to be put in place, an industrial policy that will drive the industrial development of the state as it were. The state government, through its ease of doing business agency, has done quite well to enhance the ease of doing business environment in the state.”

He further explained, “Consequently, a new industrial policy together with a very conducive ease of doing business environment will help attract investors and development to the state. Such an industrial policy will help the state to market its potential while strengthening its comparative advantage in various areas of resource availability and management.

“To bring this policy to fruition, the state government has set up a committee to drive the process of drawing up this policy”, stating that in the coming weeks, when the policy is ready, it will be launched.

The state information boss also disclosed that, in line with the ongoing urban renewal and transformation initiative of the state government, the state government has initiated “an addressing infrastructure program” that is aimed at enhancing street naming, house numbering, and geo-reference addressing that will ensure order and economic growth of the state for easy identification of structures.

He explained, “Our streets are not well named, they are not well numbered, and that creates a lot of confusion. So the state government has come up with an initiative to address this gap”.

Prince Kanu further informed that the state government has concluded plans to execute a long-term development program or plan for 2025 to 2050, stating, “to get the plan going, different aspects of governance in the state must be addressed to drive the plan.

“Planning, security, logistics, and digital services to a larger extent depend on clear locations and addresses. You can imagine where there is a fire somewhere, and you are directing the fire service to come there, and there is no street address.

“You begin to say, if you get to that junction, you cross over there. Many of our urban areas still lack standardized street names and house numbers. Standardized street naming and house numbering create a sense of order that, obviously, incentivizes investors.

“Without street names and addresses, the following problems will arise: emergency services will lose time, planning data will be fragmented, and revenue systems leak. Logistics and commerce are slowed down. Investors face a lot of uncertainty, and obviously, there will be difficulty in the delivery of social services.

“In view of the importance that the state government attaches to this program, the three development areas of the state, GADA (Greater Aba Development Authority), UCDA (Umuahia Capital Development Authority), and GODA  (Greater Ohafia Development Authority), will own this project. The state government will soon appoint a project manager to help manage and drive this very important project.”

Prince Kanu also informed that during the period under review, the state Ministry of Works embarked on direct labor works in 49 locations, and that work is going on very well at different locations in the state, adding that since inception on the 24th of December, about 77774 people have so far enjoyed its green shuttle bus services.

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Rep. Nkwonta Facilitates With Constituents, Nigerians On Easter

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 ……

Enjons Them  To Imbibe Christ -Like  Virtues

The Member, representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Chris Nkwonta, has enjoined his Constituents and Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope, patience, humility and love for humanity as exemplified by Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the real essence of Easter Celebration.

In a statement personally signed by the Legislator, he called on his Constituents and the Christian Community in Nigeria to demonstrate Christ-like virtues of love for humanity, hope for a better future, peaceful and harmonious disposition in their dealings with one another for a United Ukwa Federal Constituency and indeed Nigeria, where brotherly love reigns amongst Citizens.

He maintained that despite the prevailing temporary economic difficulties; there is light at the end of the tunnel and strong hope for a better, improved and secured economy within a short period of time.

Hon. Nkwonta, wished everyone a hitch free and joyous Easter Celebration!

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Police, Lawyer Trade Tackles Over Killing Of Peace Moses By Hit-And-Run Convoy

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The Rivers State Police Command has declared that the tragic death of a 26-year-old lady, Peace Moses, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was not reported in any of its divisions or units across the state.

Peace was knocked down last Monday evening by a convoy of about 15 fast-moving vehicles around Omega Junction along Ada-George Road in Port Harcourt.

She was returning from an evening service at her church, Love Channel Christian Centre, also located along Ada-George Road, when the tragic incident occurred.

Last Thursday, a candlelight procession was organised in her honour by her friends and neighbours.

Speaking with our correspondent  in Port Harcourt yesterday, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), wondered why neighbours could not report the incident to the Police.

Iringe-Koko stated that even the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Rumuepirikom Police Division was unaware of the tragic incident.

“Probably they didn’t report any such incident to the Police Station because the DPO in charge of that area is asking me where and when the incident occurred.

See, if they don’t report cases to the Police, how would the Police know? We are not magicians. I just spoke with the DPO, and she said she is not aware of anything like that.

“Somebody needs to report or anyhow, information needs to get through so that we too will get it,” she said.

But reacting to the claim by the Police, a human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu, said that, with or without a report on the tragic incident, the Police are duty-bound to investigate the matter.

Nsirimovu said: “The duty of the Nigerian police is to secure lives and properties, and where a life has been lost in such grievous circumstances, the police have a duty to investigate the matter on the basis of their mandate and the public need to prevent such a menace to human life.

“The Police have a duty to investigate the matter, with or without a petition.”

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Nigerians may seek third term for Tinubu – Oluwo

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The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Sunday said many Nigerians might seek a constitutional amendment to allow President Bola Tinubu to remain in office beyond two terms.

The monarch, in a congratulatory message by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Alli, to celebrate Tinubu’s 74th birthday, described the President as a decisive leader who has laid a renewed foundation of hope for the country.

“Many Nigerians may beg for a constitutional review for Tinubu to spend more than two terms in office. He is a leader who knows what he is doing,” he said.

Oluwo said the President had distinguished himself through what he described as a firm campaign against illegalities that had stalled the country’s economic growth.

He added that the President’s administrative prowess had driven notable gains, citing improvements in the naira, a rise in foreign reserves from about $1bn to between $49.5bn and $50.45bn as of late February/March 2026, and strengthened economic indices.

The monarch attributed the gains to structural reforms, including exchange rate unification, increased oil output and higher foreign investment inflows.

Oluwo also commended Tinubu for granting local government autonomy, increasing allocations to states, expanding road infrastructure and improving palliative distribution at the grassroots.

According to him, past leaders attempted similar economic reforms but were overwhelmed by public and political pressure.

He said only a capable leader could implement tough but necessary decisions to reposition the economy.

‎Oluwo added that the President’s policies had begun to impact the standard of living, noting that the next phase would be stability.

‎He said, “You are not yet a capable leader until you make decisions and stand by them. Many past presidents attempted to remove obstacles to economic prosperity but were overrun by public outcries. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon leadership through reforms.

‎“Nigeria’s foreign reserves have increased to over $49.5bn from about $1bn. Local government autonomy is taking effect, states earn more, and road projects, including Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and Sokoto-Badagry, are ongoing.”

 

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