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In a bid to promote security in and around the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha (Ime Obi), ahead of future festivities in the arena, a new Police Station is under construction.
The Ime Obi Onitsha is located on Awka Road by the Justice Chuba Ikpeazu Memorial Stadium, Onitsha in Onitsha North Local Government Area.
Chief of Staff to Igwe Nn’emeka Achebe, Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu, in an interview with Culture Correspondent of Anambra State Ministry of Information, confirmed that the Federal Government was bankrolling the project.
Anionwu lauded the FG for the construction the station, saying that it would offer better security measures that would further re-assure investors in Onitsha of safety of their investments.
“The security of their investment will obviously guarantee creation of employment opportunities for the youths.’’
The chief of staff recounted the value of good governance that Igwe Achebe was offering not only the indigenes but residents of the commercial city of Onitsha.
He added that it would afford visitors safety for their free movement into the palace and in the city generally, particularly ahead of the upcoming Ofala festival, Arts Exhibition, Golibe Youth Carnival and the Onitsha City Marathon.
Anionwu noted that the station would be Type 3 Station, as approved by Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Abuja.
“The station will maintain law and order, because it is the main objective of government. We do not want any security threats or breach of the peace in the palace and environs,’’ he explained.
“Ime Obi is a place that has very high traffic of visitors who stream in and out because of its uniqueness, especially during the `Ofala, Ite Umatu, Golibe’ and other cultural festivals.
“Dignitaries come here from FG, state and local governments. Beyond that, international visitors representing embassies, other grades of diplomatic missions and researchers on Onitsha come here quite often,’’ he added.
He said that he was optimistic that the project would not be abandoned mid way, emphasising that he was certain that the FG had provided a budget for it.
“I hope it will be ready before the forthcoming Ofala,’’ he stressed. The 2019 Ofala has been scheduled for Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.
Anionwu said that the state and particularly the city of Onitsha would need more potential investors with capacity for infrastructure development to absorb the many youths available for employment.
“I believe doing this will also make Onitsha more business and investment-friendly. So, it is a welcome development to Ndi Onitsha and residents of the city and environs.’’
He maintained that as it was seen in the site plan, the station is not a police post, rather a police station, “because it has up to seven rooms’’. (MOI)
