Abia State Governor Alex Otti has clarified the circumstances surrounding the sealing of the Renewed Hope Agenda office in Umuahia, the state capital. The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Ukoha, issued a statement explaining that the action was not politically motivated, as some opposition members had suggested. Instead, the state’s Harmonised Task Force sealed the office as part of a broader enforcement of court orders targeting properties with outstanding statutory obligations.
According to Governor Otti, the task force’s action was a routine exercise aimed at ensuring compliance with payment of ground rent and other related charges. The property owner had reportedly failed to respond to demand notices requesting proof of compliance. The governor emphasized that the sealing of the office was not a politically driven move, but rather a measure to regularize the building’s documentation.
The situation took a turn when the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, brought the matter to Governor Otti’s attention. The governor subsequently ordered the unsealing of the property, pending the regularization of its documentation. This development has helped to diffuse tensions and address concerns about the potential for political interference.
The Abia State government has maintained that the Harmonised Task Force’s enforcement action was part of a general exercise targeting properties in default of statutory obligations. The government’s position is that the task force’s activities should not be misinterpreted as politically motivated, but rather seen as a necessary measure to ensure compliance with the law.
The incident highlights the importance of adherence to statutory regulations and the need for property owners to fulfill their obligations. As the Abia State government continues to enforce compliance, it is likely that similar actions will be taken against other properties with outstanding obligations. The government’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring transparency in its activities is a positive step towards promoting good governance and accountability in the state.
