The Abia State Government has lamented over the rise in the vandalism of public schools and other public property in the state.

The government through the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu lamented over the sad development.

Kanu spoke at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting.

He stated that the state government is unhappy with the situation.

Kanu advised traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, and other stakeholders to protect public properties in their communities.

Kanu announced that arrangements have been concluded to enforce the war against street trading and illegal motor parks in Umuahia and Aba.

He further disclosed that Governor Alex Otti will, on Thursday, launch the disbursement of one billion naira in interest-free revolving loans to 9,200 Abia residents across 184 wards in the state. This initiative, under the Abia State Cooperative Support Scheme, aims to support nano and micro businesses.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Akpara, denied the trending reports that he collects 10 million naira from Abia State coffers monthly.

“I also want to say that none of my colleagues take home such large sums of money; some reports claim they take home 5 million, and others 3 million naira monthly. There is nothing like that,” he vehemently denied.