…calls on Abia youth to submit business proposals for possible government sponsorship
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has officially inaugurated a 12-man committee to ascertain the level of damage to private and public infrastructure arising from the recent protests by Nigerian youths in the State.
The committee has the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Chimaobi Ebisike, as Chairman.
Inaugurating the committee at Government House, Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu spelt out the terms of reference of the committee to include ascertaining the root causes of the destruction of public and private infrastructure in the State during the #EndSARS protest, to enumerate public and private properties destroyed or vandalized during the protest, to evaluate financial losses arising from the said destruction and how government can pay compensations where possible as well as advise government on possible ways of averting future occurrences.
The Governor equally urged the committee to make recommendations on how the destroyed properties can be rebuilt within the shortest possible time and to do everything necessary or incidental to the actualisation of the mandate.
The State Chief Executive said that the recent events necessitated the constitution of the committee, which he said has 12 weeks to turn in its report.
Governor Ikpeazu, who charged the committee members to explore ways through which to engage the youths in a constructive manner, disclosed that he is embarking on another local government elections in the State to underscore the importance of youth inclusion in Governance.
He explained that elections at the council levels provide opportunities for youths to participate as officials either as elected persons or appointees and urged Abia youths to submit proposals on their choice of businesses for sponsorship by the state government.
The Governor said that his administration has done a lot to provide job opportunities for the youths in the State including changing the narratives in artisanship/entrepreneurship in Aba and Abia as a whole, and ongoing efforts in establishing automated shoe factory in the State, all targeted at the youths.
He also recalled government efforts at the general promotion of Made-in-Aba products and establishment of SME Bank for Micro and Medium entrepreneurs among others.
Governor Ikpeazu said that cottage industries are being established currently in the State starting with 7 LGAs, adding that the machines for the industries are already on ground from India.
Other members of the Committee include Aaron Iyke, Comrade Frank Eme Orji, Engr. Sunday Okpara, Dr Ugochukwu Onyeonoro, Chief Jerry Kalu, Mr Ugwumba Adiele, Mr Chris Nwanevo, Mr. O. J. Bob Amanze, Mr Okechukwu Osuoha, Mrs. Joy Iwuchukwu and CSP Emeka Ubani.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, chairman of the committee, Chief Chimaobi Ebisike thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve the State through the assignment, and promised “to meet up with the expectations of government and the good people of Abia”.
Among other government functionaries present at the inauguration was the Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu.
