The Mayor of Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, Hon. High -Chief Victor Ikeji (Kpakpando- Umuahia) along with the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Kene Onwumelie on Monday embarked on inspection tour of the hitherto bicycle repair workshop behind Okigwe park in Umuahia.
They also inspected the ‘former’ Ohuhu motor park which is now a shanty and den for criminal activities and illicit drug dealers within the state capital.
In a release signed by Tochukwu Eluwa the Chief Press Secretary to the Mayor, the council boss while conducting the Abia police boss round the shanties expressed his desire to demolish the shanties and rebuild it to accommodate a motor park and a market.
When completed, it will accommodate traders and transporters operating around Cooperative and Ishi-gate axis of the city centre.
Mayor Ikeji said that the activities of the transport operators and traders at Ishi-gate cause a lot of traffic gridlocks and deface the city centre.
The release added, “He said there is a need to relocate them as well as give them a more dignifying place to trade and operate.
“He added that demolishing the shanties will also have positive security impact as it will displace criminals and drug peddlers around the city centre
“The Mayor echoed the governor, Dr. Alex Otti’s desire to make Abia and particularly Umuahia the State Capital a befitting and secure place to live.
“The CP, also speaking during the inspection, said the shanty is a known hub for criminals and drug peddlers in the state capital.
“He adduced that it will be in the best interest of the state for the shanty to go or better still put to productive use as suggested by the Mayor.
“He assured the Mayor of the partnership of the Nigerian Police Force in Abia State during the demolition and rebuilding of the shanty, as he promised to partner with the Mayor to weed off Umuahia of all form of criminal elements.”
