•Buhari shifts visit to August
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved funds expended by the Imo State Government on the reconstruction of major federal roads in the state.
The roads reconstructed based on economic importance include Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads and will soon be commissioned by the President, as well as that of Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road, which Buhari will also flag off when he visits the state next month.
Meanwhile, the president’s visit has been postponed to August due to heavy rains that disrupted the completion of construction work on the roads to be inaugurated during his visit.
Briefing journalists, yesterday, in Owerri, after the weekly Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said there was indication that the refunds would be paid in accordance with the approval.
According to Emelumba, the Somachi Abattoir, located at the central abattoir of the state, is to be shut down to avoid outbreak of epidemic, regretting that it was in a bad state, capable of causing health hazards. He disclosed that a new one would be constructed in Naze, Owerri North Local Council.
Speaking on other issues, Emelumba said the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Anthony Mgbeahuruike, had been directed to commence the construction of a new abattoir in Naze before the closure of the old one in Somachi.
He assured that the three major abattoirs at Egbu (Owerri North), Avu (Owerri West) and Afor-Ogbe (Ahiazu-Mbaise) would be handled.
His words: “The objective of this is to ensure that the health of Imo citizens is not taken for granted, as the existing abattoir could be described as a public toilet considering the level of pollution and the degradation of the environment that go on there.”
“Council also noted with delight that the Federal Government has promised to refund the money used by the state in the construction of the flagship projects of Owerri/Orlu and Owerri/Okigwe roads, and when this is done it will be a big boost to the state’s economy.”