Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Gov. Alex Otti, has hinted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be in Abia State before May 29, to flag of the $1.3 billion Abia Medical City project.
Otti who gave the hint while fielding questions from newsmen during a media parley on Wednesday in Umuahia, said
President Tinubu, would also during the visit, inaugurate the reconstructed Port Harcourt Road Aba.
Contract for the reconstruction of the 6.5 kilometer all-important road, was awarded to the construction giant, Julius Berger, shortly after Otti assumed office.
The road which was in deplorable condition before Otti came on board, has been totally reconstructed.
Otti said that the state Ministry of Works would take over the road from the contactor in a week time as the project had been fully delivered.
On the medical city, Otti explained that the flagship medical project, upon completion, would end overseas medical tourism by Abians and other Nigerians.
Otti who said the City would serve as a referral medical centre in the West African sub-region, added that it would be generating about $200 million dollars for the state per annum.
The Governor who said his administration had posted some remarkable achievements in the health sector “less than two years of being in charge,” added that 103 out of the on-going 200 Primary Health Centres projects had attained 70 per cent completion.
Otti who said work was also progressing in the remaining 97 PHCs, assured that all 900 PHCs across the state, “will receive the touch of the new Abia.”
The Governor who said a number of General Hospitals were also receiving attention at the same time, explained that the aim was to ensure availability of quality and affordable health service in all public medical facilities in the state.
He disclosed that his administration had approved the engagement of additional health workers to bridge the yawning gap in health care service delivery, adding that financial provisions have already been made to pay the new hands.
The Governor further explained that apart from the 200 PHCs currently being renovated and equiped by the State Government, the World Bank, “is also renovating additional 68 PHCs in the state.”
He said his administration was very intentional about investments in the health, infrastructure and education sectors considering their critical importance of the development of any society.
The Governor revealed that school enrollment in Abia had soared to 700,000 following the free and compulsory education policy of his administration from primary school to Junior secondary three.
He said that the upsurge in students’ enrollment, informed the recent directive by his administration to engage additional 4000 teachers besides the initial 5000 being recruited.
“Beyond recruiting new teachers, we are also ensuring that our teachers receive necessary trainings to be able to provide the needed quality education that can make our products globally competitive”, Otti said.
“We are paying special attention to mathematics, science and technology so we can have tech experts and gurus in robotics,” the Governor added.
Responding to a question, Gov. Otti said he was not aware that pensioners of the Abia State University Uturu, ABSU, were owed for 24 months, and directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to investigate the claims and furnish him with the facts for necessary action.
He said that the 5000-bed hostel he recently directed to be built for the institution would be ready in three months time.
The Governor added that he had also directed the renovation of old students’ hostels in the institution to make them conducive for students.
Otti thanked Abians for their continued support to his administration.
He re-stated his commitment to good governance and provision of democracy dividends.
