Abia State Executive Council (EXCO), under the Chairmanship of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, met on Monday, 17th August, 2020, at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia, with one minute silence observed in honor of the late Honorable Commissioner for Environment, Dr Solomon Ogunji.
Council reviewed issues on security, peace and rapid development of the state and resolved as follows:
1. That the fight against COVID-19 which has witnessed appreciable success in the state be sustained and given new impetus in the area of community sensitization on preventive measures, testing and management of patients.
2. Council directed the state inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19, led by Barr Chris Ezem, and the Ministry of Finance to publish details of received donations and expenditure related to the fight against the virus in national dailies before the end of the current week.
3. Council directed the ministry of environment and ASEPA to review and rejig current waste management strategy in the state with a view to ensuring visible and appreciable improvement in the area of disposal and collection of refuse, and charged the ministry of trade and investment to collaborate with Transition Council Chairmen in the state to ensure that all markets are cleaned regularly in a sustainable manner.
4. Council emphasized the need for all
ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure strict compliance with employment regulations in the state public service including obtaining and strictly following the terms of employment waivers. Council also emphasized that the embargo on employment is still in force.
5. Council directed the setting up of a committee through the office of Secretary to the State Government to check employment racketeering in the state, with the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, Sir Don Ubani, as Chairman. Other members include Permanent Secretaries of ministry of education and Government House and representatives of women group and the clergy.
6. Council directed the ministry of tourism & culture to complete the classification of hotels in the state in line with international standards and publish same including the basis of classification for public knowledge.
7. Council directed the setting up of a task force on transportation and proliferation of bus and tricycle parks to be headed by Captain Awa Udensi (rtd).
8. Council directed the Commissioner For Housing and the state Head of Service to invite the state leadership of the Nigerian Society of Engineers to evaluate relevant government secretariats to ensure structural fidelity and make recommendations to the government.
9. Council approved the remodeling plan of Nsulu Games Village with a view to modernizing the facility.
10. Council noted with happiness the selection of two young Abians, Master Eze Ifeanyi and Master Ehiogu Daniel Chisom, who participated in the recent Abia State School Sports. Council further directed the overseas training of the duo in a football academy by UK based Sports Academy, Brooke House Academy, and urged the state ministry of sports to further intensify efforts to discover and place other sports talents in the state.
11. Council approved the constitution of a new Board for Abia State Water and Sewage Corporation as well as the presentation of a new draft Executive Bill on the agency to the state House of Assembly for legislative consideration and possible passage.
12. Council approved and urged the state ministry of public utilities to ensure that the Umuahia Urban Water Project is commissioned in September 2020 to deliver water to homes within the capital city, as well as the commencement of the Aba Urban Project located at CKC and Ariaria, and the Ohafia Urban Scheme.
13. Council directed all Abia Diaspora Groups to fuse into one under the leadership of Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs & Special Duties, Dr Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, who will also serve as the official link person with Abia State Government on all diaspora issues.
Thank you.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commssioner for Information, Abia State
17/08/2020
