Indigenes of Imo state residing in Abia have expressed strong disapproval over the closure of Abia line transport by the Imo Government.

In a briefing with journalists in Umuahia, the transition chairman, Abia North LGA, Jonathan Azode Ikoroha who is a non-indigene from Nkwerre, in Imo state, said that the action is unnecessary hinting that Imo indigenes residing in Abia has benefited from the national unity and integration implemented by Governor Theodore Orji who has given him the opportunity to serve in his administration.

He therefore appealed to Governor Rochas Okoroacha of Imo State in his capacity as TC Abia North LGA and indigene of Imo to tow the line of peace.

It would be recalled that allegations were pointed to Governor Rochas Okorocha on forcefully and illegally evicting the Abia state transport company loading bay located on 5 Wethreal road Owerri under the guise that the state is carrying out a redesign on the Owerri master plan.

But the General Manager of the Owerri Capital Development Agency (OCDA), Iheanyi Abaekwume said the allegation is false and untrue.

He disclosed that number 5 Wethreal road which was illegally occupied by Abia state transport company is mainly for commercial purposes like malls and office complexes following the Owerri master plan and not for loading bay.

He added that before the ejection, the management were notified accordingly just as their neighbours River State Transport Company and Peace Mass Transmit were notified, adding that under the redesigning Owerri master plan programme by the Okorocha-led administration, the government has since provided a conducive, legal and registered  location for inter and intra city mass transmit along aba which accommodates all the transport companies including Imo state transport .

He also disclosed that the Abia state government might have been misinformed about the issue because other state transport companies like Rivers state transport company who were on number 6 Wetheral road complied immediately without raising any issue.

Mr Iheanyi also added that the state government did not eject Abia Transport Company from their other loading bay on Egbu road as speculated by their management. He said they were evicted by the landlord due to non-payment of their yearly rent. He however advised the Abia state transport company to come to the office of the Owerri Capital Development Agency and secure the form for the new location and stop playing politics with the development of Imo state.