The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has restated the commitment of his administration to entrench the use of digital technology in the fight against crime in the State.
The Governor stated this today when he formally commissioned the Command Center of Abia Safety Alert System (ABSAS) which provides Abians a quick, secured and easy channel of reporting security issues around them to security agents.
Speaking while commissioning the Command Center at the Government House, the Governor said the initiative underscores his administration’s seriousness in tackling issues of security in the State.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, he stated that the State cannot be adequately policed unless with the adoption of digital technology.
According to him, ABSAS is a private sector driven initiative which gives citizens opportunity to participate in policing.
He revealed that there are security flash points in some Local Government Areas of the State, adding that people now have opportunity to report whatever is abnormal through the platform as well as give secured and authentic information through the platform without risk of criminals coming after them.
He restated that the impact of security on investment cannot be over emphasized, stressing that the only way to attract investment is to create the right ambience for business to thrive.
Earlier in his speech, the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Prince Dan Okoli said the Abia Saftey Alert System is a world class system which engaged input and effort from seasoned industry stakeholders and expert both internationally and locally in every aspect of its service delivery.
According to him, Abians now have a quick, secured and easy channel of reporting several incident and social vices around them such as cultism, criminal flash points, etc through the app without having to go to the police station to report. The ABSAS app can be downloaded from Google play store.
He further said that ABSAS would put an end to the culture of silence and lack of accurate reporting on various issues and enhance investigation, prosecution of offenders and reduce recurrence.
Prince Okoli further said that ABSAS offers users a wide range of services such as vehicle/property authentication, as well as enables users to register their belongings such as mobile phones, electronics, tricycles, etc.
Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko and Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem were amongst other top officials of the State Government who witnessed the event.
