FG to site gun factory in Abia
FG to site gun factory in Abia
11 December, 2009 01:43:00 STEVE OKO, Umuahia
Federal Government is to set up a gun factory in Ngwa land, Abia State, to fight criminality in the area, Deputy Governor of Abia State, Comrade Chris Akomas, has said.
Akomas who disclosed this recently in Umuahia, the state capital during his investiture as the Distinguished Life Patron of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) said, the proposal was to convert the ingenuity of the disgruntled elements in the area who produce arms for criminals in their local gun factories into a better use for national interest.
He said when the project comes into full stream, the Nigeria military and paramilitary formations could be getting their arms supply from the factory while the rate of crime in Ngwaland would be reduced.
He said the newly incorporated Abia Refineries Ltd. would soon begin operations at Owaza in Ukwa West LGA (Abia South Senatorial Zone), while a cement factory at Arochukwu (Abia North); and the dry port at Isiala Ngwa North (Abia Central) were part of the state government’s efforts towards industrial revolution of the state.
Akomas who said crime wave in the state especially robbery and kidnapping for ransom had drastically declined, commended the efforts of the state police command on crime control and reiterated the commitment of the state government in equipping the police for greater results.
He lauded efforts of the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jonathan Johnson whose dexterity in combating crime he said, was responsible for the relative peace and tranquillity in the state and described him as honest, God-fearing and dedicated police officer.
Meanwhile, Akomas has dedicated the award to his late father, a retired police officer for instilling discipline in him during his childhood days, and pledged his continued support to the police for greater results.
Earlier the chairman PCRC Abia State, Dr. Ugochukwu Obi, said the honour was in recognition of the Akomas achievements, harmonious working relations with the governor and his favourable disposition to the police.
He, however, decried the lack of befitting accommodation for officers and men of the state police command especially those on transfer, and disclosed that plans were under way by the PCRC to erect a transit camp for police officers and men newly deployed to the state before they secure a permanent apartment.
Obi said lack of adequate accommodation for police posed a serious challenge to their effective performance, hence, the proposal of the PCRC to embark on the project.
He harped on the need for a harmonious relationship between Divisional Police Officers and their Divisional PCRC chairmen as they have better knowledge of the terrain, custom and attitudinal behaviour of their respective communities, stressing that such collaboration would enhance effective actualization of community policing efforts.
He appealed to investors who allegedly fled the state at the peak of kidnapping to return for business as the menace was now history, and attributed the success recorded in the fight against crime to the commitment of the new CP.
In his remarks, Mr. Johnson reiterated the resolve of his men to make Abia State uninhabitable for hoodlums and called for the cooperation of the public through volunteering of useful information that could help in tracking down criminal elements in the state.
He suggested the citing of a mechanized agriculture industry in the Ngwa area of the state to generate employment for some jobless youths who are easily recruited to crime due to idleness.
He commended the numerous efforts of the state government in equipping the police, which includes the recent procurement of 40 patrol vans, and appealed to the governor to assist the command to link up its communication station in Aba with the one in Umuahia for effective crime control, and vowed to rid Abia of criminals.
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