The Acting Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, has assured the people of Isiama Afaraukwu community in Umuahia North LGA of the State that nothing will prevent the State Government from completing the road project it is currently executing in their locality.
Sir Oko Chukwu who gave the assurance while addressing a group of demonstrators from Isiama Afaraukwu who were on a peaceful protest to the Government House on Wednesday over allegations of high handedness by DSS officials and one Mr Eze Okwulehi in matters concerning their community.
The Acting Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, lauded the leaders, youths and women of the community for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves while venting their concerns on issues affecting them and promised that the State Government would seek ways of addressing the issues they raised, assuring that every Abia citizen will be protected as they go about their daily activities. He urged them to always ensure that youths of the area adhere to law and order.
The Acting Governor also used the forum to remind the people to always adhere to NCDC and State Government directives on COVID-19 precautionary measures including social distancing, wearing of facemasks, washing of hands under running water and the use of alcohol-based sanitizers to clean their hands to help check the spread of the coronavirus ravaging the world. He also implored them to avoid getting into any form of confrontation with law enforcement agents mandated to enforce the rules on COVID-19.
Speaking on behalf of the people earlier, the President General, Isiama Afaraukwu Development Union, Chief Ikechukwu Ndubueze, said they decided to embark on the peaceful protest against the actions of Eze Okwulehi and one Doris Ogali both of whom have been terrorising and harassing indigenes of Isiama Afaraukwu, accusing them of being members of IPOB and disrupting the ongoing construction of the Eze Kanu Road project in the community.
He appealed to the Acting Governor to intervene in the situation and also save them from harassment by DSS officials.
The community leader thanked the government for embarking on the road project in the community describing it as very dear to them and pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the present administration under the leadership of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.
The Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, and other top government officials were also present during the address.
