Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has pledged equal support for federal and state agencies operating in the state, irrespective of their affiliations.
Otti gave the assurance on Tuesday when he received a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire, in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The governor said that his administration did not discriminate between indigenes and non-indigenes, adding that everyone living and working in Abia was regarded as an indigene.
“We don’t discriminate between federal agencies and state agencies, neither do we discriminate between federal projects and state projects, because at the end of the day, the beneficiaries are indigenes and those living in the state.
“We also do not have non-indigenous and indigenous. The policy does not work here.Everybody who lives here is from here, and that is the way it should be,” he said.
Responding to a request for office accommodation for the Federal Information Centre in Umuahia, Otti directed the Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, to identify suitable accommodation for the centre.
He said that the state government had provided support to several federal agencies operating in the state and would give the request favourable consideration.
The governor said that his administration was committed to restoring dignity to the people through infrastructural renewal and good governance.
He congratulated Ukaire on her appointment as permanent secretary six months ago, describing her as a proud daughter of Abia.
In her speech, Ukaire thanked Otti for his goodwill and support surrounding her appointment, pledging to discharge her responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and dedication.
She commended the governor for his achievements across various sectors of the state’s economy, noting that his emphasis on competence, fairness and inclusiveness distinguished his leadership.
Ukaire appealed for suitable office accommodation for the Federal Information Centre to enhance its operational efficiency.
She also called for stronger institutional cooperation and coordination between the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Abia Government in strategic communication, public enlightenment and development.
In her remarks, the Head of the Federal Information Centre, Umuahia, Mrs Gloria Abiakam, thanked Otti for giving federal establishments a sense of belonging.
Abiakam also commended the governor’s leadership, saying his administration’s achievements spanned health, education, roads and other sectors of the state’s economy.
