Abia State government has warned political parties in the state to desist from invasion of school facilities, stadia, and other public valuable premises for rallies without obtaining permission from relevant agencies.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo in a statement on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction with the alleged vandalisation and degradation of the facilities, saying the activities of the political organizations undermine the efforts of the government bring succour to pupils in Abia schools.
The government pledged to continue in its efforts to promote participatory democracy and allows all citizens to exercise their civil rights but only within the ambit of the law.
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“Whereas the Abia State Government, as a staunch promoter of participatory democracy and Democratic freedoms, will continue to give necessary support to all citizens to exercise their rights, it must be pointed out that the enjoyment of such Constitutional rights must be conducted within the ambits of the law.
“Public Utilities, School Facilities, Stadiums and Valuable Public Premises are properties of the people of Abia State entrusted into the care of Government. Therefore, no responsible Government will stand by and watch such Facilities as they are willfully vandalised and degraded by sadistic elements with malicious interests disguising as politicians. The unscrupulous acts of these lawless individuals and groups jeopardizes the efforts of Government at all levels to provide succour to our children and citizens for whom those Facilities were established,” the Commissioner said.
The political parties are therefore to obtain written permission from the education Secretariat of the local government as well as the chairman of the LGA in addition to notification of the security agencies before using the facilities.
“In view of the foregoing, henceforth, in addition to notifying the Security Agencies, the written consent of the Education Secretary of a Local Government and the Executive Chairman of that local Government must be duly sought and obtained before the use of any Primary School Premises. Groups and individuals seeking to use any Secondary School should direct their applications and obtain their permit via the Secondary Education Management Board and the relevant Local Government Chairman.
“Similarly, because of the sensitive and expensive nature of the modern turf and equipment recently installed in our Stadiums, the consent of the Abia State Ministry of Sports and the relevant Local Government and State Authorities must be formally sought and obtained. Applicants wishing to use the Aba Stadium and others must give adequate guarantee to take responsibility for any damage sustained as a result of their activities before being allowed to use that prestigious Monument,” the statement added.
