Umahi Suspends Construction Over Insecurity, Demands Affidavits From Stakeholders

Ebonyi State Gov Dave Umahi, Wednesday, suspended construction works on the state ring roads at the Effium axis for seven days due to insecurity.

Insecurity-ravaged Effium is located in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state.

Umahi stated this after a security meeting in Abakaliki.

He said his administration would use the seven days’ brake to rejig the security architecture in the area.

He said, “If the stakeholders fail to abide by what we said, the job will be terminated. I cannot be here and guarantee security of the lives of the people I am putting on site.

“Nobody is coming from outside to attack. We have not had a record of insecurity in the axis of 135/Ezza North, Ezza North to Ezza South-Ikwo-Abakaliki-Izzi-Ebonyi LGAs.

“Where we believe we have problems will be the axis of Effium in Ohaukwu.

“The entire ring road project is being threatened and I will be willing to shut down any of the sections that will not comply with my directive today.”

He demanded an affidavit from the stakeholders of the affected areas for the work to commence.

According to him, “I need a sworn affidavit from all the traditional rulers, town union presidents, chairmen of the local government and coordinators where the roads are passing.

“The affidavit is to be crafted by the secretary to the state government (SSG) and the attorney general and commissioner for justice.

“The affidavit will be that they will take responsibilities for the security of the contractors, consultants, everyone involved in the discharge of their duties and also their equipment.”

He threatened to shut down project sites in any communities that failed to comply with the directives.

Quoting him, “There will be more than ten local vigilantes on the machines that will be patrolling contractors’ sections, front and back, day and night, while another set will be stationed at the yards for the contractors.

“You will pay them what we are paying to Ebubeagu security outfit. I want them to be registered under Ebubeagu security outfit so that the law will cover them.”