The Abia <\/a>State government has set up an emergency committee headed by the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources to provide potable water for the people of Mbaohia Ohanso community in Ukwa East LGA, after their water was contaminated by hydrocarbons.<\/p>\n The state\u2019s Ministry of Health is also to investigate the extent of danger posed to the health of the indigenes and how they may have been affected by the hydrocarbons.<\/p>\n Abia <\/a>State Commissioner for Health, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week\u2019s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex <\/a>Otti.<\/p>\n Kanu said that the emergency response of the state government to the water challenge underscored its commitment to the sound health of the people.<\/p>\n He announced that the Abia <\/a>State government would, this September, launch a workers\u2019 contributory fund, adding that Pensions Fund Administrators have been selected for the scheme.<\/p>\n Also, Abia <\/a>has completed the payment of compensation to verified landowners to enable the smooth commencement of the Abia <\/a>Industrial and Innovation Park, AIIP, he disclosed.<\/p>\n On the extortion of traders at Ngwa Road Market, Aba, by gangs of persons, the Abia <\/a>State government said it has gathered the identities and families of those implicated in the criminal activities, warning them to desist from their actions or face the wrath of the government.<\/p>\n Kanu, who reiterated that extortion of people in the markets and motor parks remains prohibited, announced that the Abia <\/a>State government would arrest and prosecute those who drive against the traffic or pick passengers at unapproved places in the state.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n