Umuahia — ABIA State Government, weekend raised hope that the NNPC depot at Osisioma, near Aba would soon be reopened.

The government said its hope was hinged on series of discussions it had with the Petroleum Resources Minister on the matter.

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. John Nwokocha who made the announcement, also said that the government had resolved to recover all funds owed it by various concerns, including contractors.

He said the government would use every legal means to recover the debts. Nwokocha said money to be recovered includes the money expended on the Ubani Ibeku modern market as well as to take over the management of the Abia Hotel.

The Commissioner also debunked media reports that officials of the EFCC were after some officials of the state government, including the wife of the state Governor over their alleged involvement in a financial scam, totaling N3.3billion.

Meanwhile, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, has admonished the Abia State University for recruiting new staff despite the embargo on employment.

The Governor who made his feelings known when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University Uturu(ABSU) and the management of the University, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Umuahia, expressed displeasure that the management of the institution had gone ahead to employ new staff without recourse to the state government.