Fresh from his vacation abroad, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has made it clear that he is for the creation of State Police as the decision was a collective one taken by the country’s 36 state governors.

Answering questions from newsmen in Umuahia, Orji stressed that the decision to back state policing was jointly taken by the Governors Forum.

Said he: “We took a collective decision at the Governors Forum that all the governors would support the issue of State Police. But while I was out there, I had different stories from our colleagues in the North who went and organised their own meeting and said that they don’t want state Police.

“But as far as the Governors Forum is concerned and I was there when this decision was taken, that is where I stand. If there is anything on the contrary, the South East Governors have not met on the issue of State Police. The governors Forum took a decision. It was general. We have not gone to the Governors forum to reverse it. That is our own opinion. But if eventually the party, as an organ, comes out with a decision, as a loyal party man, I will be bound to abide by that decision.”

On his trip, he said he used the opportunity to search for investors, disclosing that the state would reopen talks with an investor interested in building an international hospital at Obuaku City in Ukwa West.

He said a Certificate of Occupancy had already been issued to the investor but the project was suspended because of kidnapping.

“I combined my annual leave with searching for investors. I held discussions with an investor from the South East who wants to build an ultra-modern hospital at Obuaku City whom we had already given the Certificate of Occupancy. The project was delayed because of kidnapping. By second week of September, we will reopen discussions. If the land is not encumbered, they will go ahead but if otherwise, we will find another place for them because they are serious,” said the governor, who returned on Sunday, September 2.

Orji assured that Abians would reap a harvest of projects, adding that his administration would realise all the on-going legacy projects including the International Conference Centre, new Government House Complex, the new Secretariat buildings, Ubani Ibeku International Market, the Industrial Market and other road projects.

The governor restated his desire to focus on rehabilitation of infrastructure in Aba. “Aba will be our priority. We are only waiting for the rains to subside and we will move into Aba,” he said.

*Photo: Governor Orji