… As Otti flags off more roads, gives bursary awards to law students
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has approved the renovation of 170 primary, and 51 public secondary schools across the state.
This is as Governor Alex Otti has also approved the disbursement of N62 million bursary awards to law students from the state in different tertiary institutions in the country.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting, said the bursary was to assist the law undergraduates cope with the current economic realities following the increase in their fees and cost of training.
On the renovation of school, he said 10 primary and three secondary schools would be selected from each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state.
The, renovation according to him is to give a facelift to public schools in the state and make them conducive and attractive for learning.
He explained that this, was in addition to the six model schools currently being established in the three senatorial districts.
The Commissioner further hinted that Governor Otti, will on Wednesday, flag off the construction of the Arochukwu-Ndiokereke-Ozuabam road.
Ikengaonline reports that the 30-kilometer road which has been abandoned and remained un-motorable for decades, is the alternate and shortest route to Arochukwu via Abam.
Similarly, the Governor will also flag off the 11.5-kilometer Nunya-Eluama-Isuikwuato road to ensure easier access to the rural communities from the city centres.
Otti, had in February, flagged off the reconstruction of Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara road, and the Abiriba-Ohafia road, respectively.
According to the Government’s Spokesman, the priority being accorded to road infrastructure by the Otti-led administration, stems from the fact that road remains the catalyst to economic transformation.
“This is in keeping with the State Government’s strategic road infrastructure development initiative. Roads are serious enablers for a good business environment and the State Government will not relent in ensuring that roads in the state are put in very good motorable condition.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, who was also at the briefing, said each of the benefiting schools would have staff quarters, Head teacher’ house, and a Caretaker house to ensure a water-tight security of the school property.
She explained that Gov. Otti was very passionate about education and was keenly committed to reviving the sector.
The Commissioner added that the renovation would be done in phases until all public schools in the state “are renovated.”
Speaking further, the Commissioner disclosed that the West African Examination Council, WAEC, had blacklisted a number of secondary schools in the state for involvement in examination malpractice.
She, however, did not disclose the identity of the affected schools, but only said they were mostly private schools.
Professor Uche said that the State would withdraw the operational licenses of the affected schools, saying they will not go free for disgracing the state.
She frowned at the unpatriotic actions of the affected schools who she said had ignored warnings in the past.
The Commissioner expressed the support of the state for WAEC, saying that the sanction will help halt further lowering of academic standards in schools by some dubious characters.
She warned that the State Government would not hesitate to shut down any school discovered to be engaging in fraudulent activities.
