Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has announced that the State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has commenced the clearing of drainages and waterways from Umuahia down to Isiala Ngwa to avert flooding.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting. He explained that the measure followed warnings by the Federal Government that several states could experience flooding this year.
“The waterways need to be cleaned and opened up to prevent flooding in those areas of the city during the rainy season. There have been predictions that some areas of the state are susceptible to floods, so ASEPA is focusing on clearing blocked drainages to ensure that if the rains come heavy, Umuahia and other parts of the state will not be submerged,” Kanu said.
The Commissioner added that ASEPA had also procured and deployed 2.7-tonne receptacles in Aba and Umuahia for waste evacuation. According to him, the smaller receptacles would ease refuse collection in narrow streets where the regular containers could not be accessed.
Kanu further disclosed that Abia State would benefit from the $750 million World Bank intervention fund under the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) programme. He said the state was also collaborating with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to develop regulations for establishing and operating solar-powered mini-grids in the state.
“ISA, an intergovernmental treaty-based organisation with 123 member countries, will support Abia in creating an enabling environment to attract investments and sustain solar power projects. This aligns with the state government’s agenda to expand investments in the power sector and mitigate climate change,” he explained.
He noted that the signing of the Abia State Electricity Law 2025 had opened new opportunities for the state in the power sector.
Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Engr. Kachi Etuluo, said the projects were a testament to the global recognition of Governor Alex Otti’s efforts to reposition Abia. He expressed confidence that the initiatives would boost investor confidence and accelerate industrialisation.
Warns detractors against blackmail
Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner warned detractors against spreading falsehood to blackmail the Otti-led administration. He was reacting to a recent publication by a former Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, demanding accountability for the state’s ₦54 billion education budget.
“Government is not averse to constructive criticism, but it will no longer tolerate deliberate attempts by certain individuals to mislead the public with falsehoods. Going forward, the state government will take recourse to the law against such acts,” Kanu warned.
On the ongoing recruitment of health workers, the Commissioner revealed that 1,983 applications had been received, out of which 1,348 were shortlisted. He added that Computer-Based Tests (CBT) would hold between August 26 and 30, while successful applicants would be interviewed between September 2 and 16, 2025.
He said the Civil Service Commission had also advertised vacancies for contract consultants, primary consultants, and medical officers, with the application portal closing on August 30.
The Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Dr. (Mrs.) Eno Jerry Eze, assured that the recruitment exercise would be transparent, stressing that only competent and qualified candidates would be engaged. She added that measures were being put in place to strengthen the civil service in the state.
Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner announced the appointment of Dr. Friday Kanu Ohuche as Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor.
