In a bid to further improve security and boost businesses on 24 hours cycle, Abia State government has said it would soon implement alternative power solutions and install street lights along major roads leading to business centres in Aba and Umuahia.

Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who stated this in Aba, explained that the state government is determined to boost trade and commerce in the state as well and ensure that the two cities run-on 24-hour circle through the improvement of security, rehabilitation of roads and power supply.

He said the state government is determined to extend business hours through leveraging on power generating sets and the Ariaria Independent power plant to lit up Faulks, Osusu road and other business centres in Aba and Umuahia.

“We are working to put up street lights in Aba and Umuahia to extend business hours. The state is losing night economy in Aba and Umuahia, and we are determined to correct it. Power generating sets will be installed and we are also leveraging on the Ariaria Independent power plant. Geometric power will soon come on stream later this year; we want to ensure that you can do business in the night in the state. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is determined to do more than he did in his first term.

The Commissioner disclosed that work would soon commence on Obohia, Ohanku, Osusu , Port Harcourt and Ngwa roads immediately the rains subside, stressing that the projects were being delayed due to work on drainage channels and contractual issues by the Niger Delta development Commission, NDDC.

“As soon as the rains subside, contractors will move in to fully reconstruct Obiohia, Osusu, Ohanku, Port Harcourt and Ngwa roads. We went in to do Obohia and Ohanku, but some people came to say they had contracts on both roads. The issues have been sorted out.

“Again, we could not have started work without doing the drainage channel on Port Harcourt road which will take storm water through Ngwa road , Ohanku , Obohia to the Aba river. Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu does not accept substandard jobs; we cannot go back to the era of ‘Dubai’ roads in Aba by one of the former administrations, if we had done that we would have returned to do the road within six months. We pledge quality jobs in all we do; we can’t go below Governor Ikpeazu’s high standard in road construction.”