Why We Converted ‘Ikpeazu’ Govt. House To Five-st
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Abia State government has reaffirmed its resolve to convert the new Government House to a five-star hostel despite deluge of criticisms trailing the decision.
The new Government House was inaugurated by the immediate past administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, a day to the expiration of his tenure.
Disclosing the reason for the government’s planned move, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, stated that gigantic building lacks necessary facilities.
Kanu also added that the structure was built inside a private residential area that could expose the life of the governor to several security threats.
The commissioner spoke on Friday while conducting journalists round the building.
He said the government house structure did not have a functional elevator, while the interior of the upper floors was in shambles without necessary facilities.
Kanu observed that only the first floor of the Government House was completed and furnished, while the upper ones were exposed to many structural defects despite huge public funds that were spent on the project.
He debunked the statements made by the former Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu where he had accused Governor Alex Otti of ruling Abia State with propaganda against the past administration of Okezie Ikpeazu.
“This place is not habitable and if you look around the Government House where it is situated, you will see a lot of private buildings around here looking into this place.
“From the point of security, it is not even ideal for the Governor to live in and it could pose a serious security risk for the Governor to live in, assuming he were to live here.
“The government of the day has decided to turn this place into a five-star hotel. The reason is that this place was not well built”, Kanu said.
He appealed to the Nigerian public to disregard the reports that the Government House was completed.
