Abia inaugurates Youth Road Maintenance Corps

Abia Youth Road Maintenance Corps has been charged to rid Abia roads of potholes and institute a sustainable maintenance culture.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who gave the charge while inaugurating the Corps at the Governor’s Lodge Aba, said that the first phase covers the 6 local government areas of Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa Umuahia North and Umuahia South.

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He noted that the issue of maintenance culture has become a knotty one as billions of naira spent on infrastructure is often wasted due to neglect of such infrastructure soon after construction.

He also urged members of the Corps to immediately commence their assignments by taking stock of all the potholes within their areas of jurisdiction for proper documentation and thereafter report to the respective Local Government Chairmen.

According to the Governor, the initiative is to bring the Youths face to face with current challenges, adding that the initiative provides an opportunity for them to help contribute to building a better Abia as future leaders.

He advised the young engineers to focus on areas that impact negatively on the people as well as to do their jobs during off peak hours including nights and Sundays.

Governor Ikpeazu promised that funds will be released periodically to enable them carry out their assignments effectively.

The Governor directed the concerned Local Government Chairmen to make available the old Public Works Department (PWD) offices located in their Councils for the use of the newly inaugurated Abia Youth Road Maintenance Corps.