BY JAMES NWAKPA
As part of efforts to sustain the viability of economic activities in Abakaliki Local Government Area, in line with the state government's directives, the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, has today 13th September, 2021, moved round the L.G.A, both within the capital city and its vicinities, to monitor the major markets and government institutions in the area so as to determine people's attitude to work, as against the sit at home syndrome as insinuated in some quarters.
The leadership of Linus Edeh Memorial Timber Shade, Abakaliki, including their outgoing Chairman, Deacon Justice Alieze, their Chief Security Officer, Mr. Chijioke Ejiofor and a member, Mr. Okechukwu Ugo, noted that there was high level of compliance to the government's directive of operation "take your work serious " as most of their members were out for their normal daily businesses, stressing that they had always been supportive of the government, and reiterated their readiness to continue supporting Governor Umahi's led administration, while advising others who are currently relying on hear say, to go about their lawful businesses as it is for their good and the wellbeing of their families.
Similarly, the Caretaker Chairman of Lot 4, Mother Margaret Umahi International Market Abakaliki, Mr. Reuben Uchenna said that the market was usually open for commercial purposes and a lot of buyers and sellers were also out to transact their normal businesses, adding that the security situation of the place was quite impressive as security operatives are usually present to ensure that the whole market is highly secured.
Moreover, the HOD, PRS in Abakaliki Local Education Authority, Mr. Eze Godwin, said that the "sit at home and lose your job" order of the government was highly observed at that place, as all their workers were present at their various duty posts, adding that 32 of their staff were assigned to go and monitor reopening of schools in Abakaliki L.G.A, and promised their continued unalloyed compliance to all the government's directives.
However, when the Council Chairman with his entourage visited Mechanic village Abakaliki, it was observed that the whole places were not opened which made the Council Boss to contact the Chairman of the motor spare parts on phone, who disclosed that they had been throwing the site open for businesses on "sit at home" days until recently when they received complaints of series of burglary and theft in the site by unidentified persons who normally act as shop owners to rob the people, and as such, the whole places had to be locked down.
In his reaction, the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance to work by the civil servants in Abakaliki L.G.A, but also expressed disappointed with the attitude of private business owners, most of whom he said had chosen to pay deaf ears to the government directives while complying with the orders issued by unauthorized persons, even when the State government under the pragmatic leadership of Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi has provided the enabling environment for the people to run their businesses in the state.
