Ikpeazu moves to stamp out kidnapping, other crimes to reposition Abia

Following the resurgence of kidnapping and other criminal activities in Aba and Umuahia, the Abia State government has reinforced the ban on the operations of motorcycle (Okada) operators within the two cities.

Tricycle (Keke) operators are also to limit their operations to 7pm daily, till further notice.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, in a statement signed by Godwin Adindu, his chief press secretary, urged all law enforcement agents in the state to redouble efforts to stem the tide of violent crime in the state.

Ikpeazu warned all criminals in the state to run away or face total extermination. Abia, especially Aba, the state’s commercial hub, in recent times has been under siege of kidnappers and armed robbers, a development that if not tackled, would take the area back to its inglorious days, when entrepreneurs and patrons left the city, due to kidnapping.

This resurgence of kidnapping and other heinous crimes in Aba, according to residents, will pull plug on Ikpeazu’s effort to reinvigorate the economy of the state.

The organised private sector (OPS) in Aba is in support of government’s economic agenda for the state and is willing to partner it to realise its aim of making the state the hub of micro, small and medium enterprises in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

They however urged the state government to tackle kidnapping and other heinous crimes, and especially in Aba.

Anthony Enukeme, the immediate past president of Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), explained that such collaboration would create harmony between government and the organised private sector and attract fresh investments into the area.

Enukeme, chairman/CEO of TONIMAS Nigeria Limited, observed that government and the organised private sector, represented by the chamber movement, play major roles in the development of the society.

According to Enukeme, while government has the responsibility of providing conducive environment, such as security, power, road development and maintenance, provision of portable water and health facilities to make life easy for the people and attract investors, the OPS consisting of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs create jobs and provide goods and services to the people.

Consequently, he said there was every need therefore for the government and the organised private sector to come together from time to time to plan and work for the greater development of the society.

He commended decisions taken so far by Abia government to reposition Abia, stressing that his action packed administration took-off on a very good note with focus on how to rebuild dilapidated infrastructure to help move the state and its people forward.

He reiterated the readiness of the organized private sector in Aba, to work with government to ensure the success of what he termed, “people-oriented programmes embarked upon by the administration.

In society, government and the organised private sector, represented by the Chamber movement, play major roles that when brought together, help society growth and development.

Ikpeazu’s, focal point is to improve the economy of Abia State, generate employment and put food on the table of the people.

To realize this, the Abia State Governor, intends to assist micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in the State to improve their businesses and attract more patronage to the State.

GODFREY OFURUM