Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has completed the renovation of nine out of 63 schools currently being rehabilitated across the state.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
He said the ongoing renovation project is part of the government’s holistic strategy to transform the learning environment in public schools across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
“The completed schools, which are spread across the three senatorial zones in line with the inclusive governance style of this administration, include Nkata Community Primary School, Ibeku High School, and Ohuhu Community Secondary School, Amaogugu, all in Umuahia North LGA,” he said.
“Others are Migrant Farmers Primary School, Osisioma; Umuagbai Secondary School, Aba; Abayi Nchokoro Primary School, Ugwunagbo; Owerre Aba Primary School, Ugwunagbo; Omoba Central Model Primary School, Isiala Ngwa LGA; and Abiriba Nmaju Memorial Primary School, Ohafia LGA.”
Kanu further stated that work is ongoing at three smart school sites—Ogbo Primary School, Ubakala (Umuahia South LGA); Umuomaikwu Primary School, Isiala Ngwa North LGA; and Umuagbai Secondary School, Aba South LGA.
He announced that 100 teachers are currently undergoing a three-week special training on smart school operations.
“This is a strategic move to equip teachers with the special skills required to operate the smart schools in the state. One week has been completed, and in another two weeks, they’ll be done,” he explained.
The Commissioner added that the posting of newly recruited teachers would be concluded this week, noting that the delay was to ensure proper deployment to areas where they can serve effectively.
He urged teachers to be “reasonable” in their posting requests, emphasizing that placements would be based on the needs of each area.
On road infrastructure, Kanu said that as the rains subside, the pace of road construction will increase. According to him, 32 contract road projects and 55 direct-labour road projects are currently ongoing across the state, under the state’s Zero Pothole Initiative.
He noted that the Ministry of Works recently completed 12 direct-labour projects, including the construction of St. Michael’s Drive (Government Layout, Ehimiri), Hon. Justice Okoroafor Close, and Ozouma Spur through Corpers’ Lodge off Aba Road, Afara. Others include maintenance of the 8km Umunkpeyi–Eziala–Umuru Nvosi Road in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
Speaking on developments in Aba, the Commissioner said the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) is constructing two new roads by contract—Aba Ring Road from Umuaduru to Okpulor Umuobu, and 7Up–Okpulor Umuobu Road.
GADA is also handling six roads by direct labour, including Elizabeth Avenue, Imo Avenue, Sacred Heart Street, Ihuoma Street, Afor Ule–Okpulor Umuobu Road, and Ozuomba Road.
Kanu added that the Ovom Street erosion control project is nearing completion, built with rigid pavement technology expected to last over 50 years.
He announced that Governor Otti will on Friday flag off the reconstruction of the 25km Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road and the 13.1km Ariam–Usaka Road in Ikwuano LGA.
The Commissioner also revealed that work is progressing at the Eziama Pedestrian Bridge, located opposite Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, as part of the government’s urban renewal drive to make Aba a leading commercial hub.
On the Enyimba Hotel project, Kanu said it is progressing well and will soon be flagged off by Governor Otti. The 120-room facility will be managed by Radisson Blu, an international hospitality brand.
Also present at the briefing were the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, and the Director-General of the Greater Aba Development Authority, Architect Uche Ukeje.
