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 his administration did not discriminate between indigenes and non-indigenes, stressing that everyone living and working in Abia was regarded as an indigene.
“We don’t discriminate between federal agencies and state agencies, nor 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 premises for the centre.
He said the state government had supported several federal agencies operating in Abia and would give the request favourable consideration.
Otti added that his administration remained committed to restoring dignity to the people through infrastructural development and good governance.
He also congratulated Ukaire on her appointment as permanent secretary six months earlier, describing her as a proud daughter of Abia.
In her remarks, Ukaire thanked the governor for his goodwill and support following her appointment, pledging to discharge her responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and dedication.
She commended Otti 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 to the state government to provide suitable office accommodation for the Federal Information Centre to improve its operational efficiency.
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She also called for stronger institutional cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Abia Government in strategic communication, public enlightenment and development initiatives.
Earlier, the Head of the Federal Information Centre, Umuahia, Mrs Gloria Abiakam, thanked Otti for making federal establishments feel included in the state’s development efforts.
Abiakam also praised the governor’s leadership, noting that his administration had recorded achievements in health, education, road infrastructure and other sectors of the state’s economy.
