The Government of Abia state has finalized plans to renovate and retrofit 200 primary health centres across the state by the end of this year. The project, which will be executed by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, is set to commence in the first week of September 2024, with a delivery period of 100 days.
During a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, explained that all 184 wards in the state would benefit from this initiative, which he described as a potential “Christmas gift” to the people of Abia. He also disclosed that 13 suspected cases of Monkeypox had been recorded in Isiala Ngwa. Of these cases, nine returned negative results, one tested positive, and three remain unconfirmed.
Regarding the recovery of public lands, Kanu revealed that the government had launched efforts to reclaim lands taken over by private individuals. The committee in charge of this recovery process has already recovered compromised land at Government College Umuahia. He reassured the public that the government would persist in reclaiming illegally acquired school lands despite resistance from those involved.
On the topic of education reform, Kanu mentioned that the verification of private schools recently closed down would begin soon. Additionally, the training of primary and secondary school teachers by educational consultants, ERIT, is nearing completion. The Education Development Center has also successfully conducted all its examinations.
In terms of road infrastructure development, Kanu reported that 108 roads had been maintained and rehabilitated across the state through direct labor. Ongoing projects include design work for Ntigha – Mbawsi – Umuala Road, Onuimo-Tower of Peace Road, and the Onuinyang – Okporoenyi – Oboro-Ikwuano road, with significant progress being made on several strategic roads statewide.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Emeh Uche, addressed concerns regarding the demolition of buildings illegally erected on the land of Government College Umuahia. He clarified that the government opposes the destruction of property when unnecessary. The recent demolitions at the school targeted only structures still at the foundation level. Existing properties will be repurposed rather than demolished, as it would be wasteful to destroy them.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, addressed concerns about epidemic outbreaks in the state, clarifying that Abia had only two confirmed cases of Cholera. She added that various isolation centers are being fortified to manage any suspected outbreaks.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, also noted that the state government had completed the identification of houses to be demolished for the Umuikaa-Owerrinta road expansion, with compensation for affected structures to begin soon.
CREDIT: Punch newspaper
