* Ikpeazu 

  Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu weekend  attributed  the declining federal allocations to the State as the reason why his adminstration has been unable to pay  salaries of civil servants for the past five months. 

 "Our monthly allocation as at today cannot support payment of workers salaries, not to talk of executing other projects. This has also impacted on our IGR as 

 a State. I am sure you're aware of the economic hard times in the country that has occasioned the drastic drop in our monthly allocation to as low as N1.7b."

 The Abia governor who was speaking in Isiala-Ngwa South North Local Government headquarters also announced that the State has obtained  N1 bn (One Billion  Naira) Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme Loan  from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

 Ikpeazu  is rendering his  one year stewardship in the state to the people of Abia Central Senatorial District, as part of an ongoing town hall meetings in 
the State. 

 A release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, quotes  Ikpeazu as  assuring  that his government will ensure that the current economic crisis will not affect his infrastructural development program and payment of workers' salaries in the State.

 He however told the people of the state that he should not be pitied, over the harsh economic situation, stressing that he believes God has reasons for  whatever circumstance He (God) allows.

 "Don't pity me because of the tough times. I know that my God is able to handle the situation. But let me assure you that amidst this obvious challenge, our 
government will continue to improve on our infrastructure and also pay salaries as we can, but I ask for your understanding and support in this hard time.

 "We do not have any other option than to improve the infrastructure in the state, especially at Aba, the commercial-hub, to motivate people to pay taxes 
thereby improving the internally-generated revenue of the state.

 "Let me also reassure you of my promise, as your Governor, not to misappropiate the confidence you bestowed on me.

 "Let me inform you that we have received N1b agricultural loan from the CBN. This loan, I assure you, will be judiciously distributed to genuine farmers 
amongst us. I know our farmers, and let me inform political farmers whose farms are on the internet not to bother coming because this loan is not for you."

  lkpeazu, who enumerated some of the achievements of his government  in road infrastructure improvement and other strategic sectors of the economy 
within the period of one year, further assured that the free school meal program will be sustained for the benefit of Abia school children and their parents. 
He stated that food stores have been opened in the three Senatorial Districts of the state, and will later be opened in all Local Government Areas for the 
sustenance of the free school meal program which his Govt is implementing with massive support from the private sector.

 The ongoing town hall interactive meeting was previously held at Ohafia and Isuikwuato LGAs for Abia North Senatorial district of the state. Abia south 
district meeting is next on the program aimed at rendering the governor's stewardship in the past one year to the people as well as get direct feedback from  them.