Abia State government has urged communities in the State to cooperate with it on land acquisition issues, assuring the communities that their lands would not be acquired without adequate compensation paid to them.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu gave the advice on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

He said that the current administration in Abia has continued to pay what he called handsome compassion despite the fact that the 1978 Land Use Act places the ownership of all big lands in the hands of the government.

“Communities should cooperate with the government, under the watch of this administration and under the watch of Governor Alex Otti, Abians would never be shortchanged in terms of lands acquired for projects”, Kanu said.

He also told the communities that lands acquired for particular purposes would not be diverted for another project.

He announced that the State government has approved the implementation of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for local government workers in the State.

According to the commissioner, the approval of the CONHESS was part of the ongoing reforms in the state civil service, aimed at prioritizing the welfare of workers.

“This commendable move makes Abia State one of the few states in the country that pays the federal government Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS),” he said.

He disclosed that the recruitment portal for health workers has been reopened, informing that vacancies exist for ophthalmologists, medical officers, dental officers, as well as part-time and full-time consultants.

We won’t take your lands without compensation – Abia Govt tells communities