Press Release

5/9/11
ABIA GOVT APPROVES FUNDS FOR COMPENSATION
The Abia state government has made funds available for the payment of compensation to communities whose lands  were taken by the government for development purposes.
Among the beneficiaries of the state government’s gesture are Amokwe, Okwuta, Ihie Ndume and Ohokobe all in Ibeku.
Disclosing this in Umuahia at a ceremony to commission a link road to the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs as well as 34 transformers procurd by his government for rural communities  and presentation of brand new Toyota corolla cars to the chairmen of local government traditional rulers councils in the 17 LGAs of the state, chief Orji said his administration is peculiar in that it cooperates with the various arms of government in the state as well as the local government system.
He said that the compensation is being paid to show others reluctant to donate their lands that the government will eventually pay and called on such communities to release their lands.
Chief Orji also warned communities that are engaged in protracted land disputes that the government will take over such disputed land in the interest of peace.
He said that as a man of honour and intergrity he was duty bound to fulfil his promise of proving vehicles to the traditional rulers in the state and assured that the gesture which will get to all traditional rulers in the state is the beginning of good things to them.
The governor said that his government is committed to grassroot governance and had to utilize funds from the state and local government joint account.
Earlier in his speech, the commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy Affairs, Engr.Emma Nwabuko said the ceremony marks another milestone in the effort of the government to uplift the standard of living of the people through the provision of infrastructure.
He stated that each of the 17 LGAs in the state will get two transformers each and maintained that the governor identifies with the plight of those at the grassroots.
In a vote of thanks the chairman of the state council of traditional rulers eze John Akaliro thanked the governor for his effort at enhancing the welfare of traditional rulers in the state and pledged their continuous support to his administration.