Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, will on Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the company of the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, flag off the Abia airport project located at Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North LGA.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing the press on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to him, initially, the airport was not a priority project for the state government. However, when the federal government decided to build an airstrip in the state, the governor chose to partner with the federal government to convert the airstrip into a full airport project.
“This unique partnership will lead to the construction of the requisite runways that would land bigger aircraft when finished,” Prince Kanu stated.
He added that major stakeholders are on board to ensure the success of the project.
Prince Kanu disclosed that the Governor has approved the establishment of 20 smart schools across the 17 LGAs of the state as a further step towards the revamping of the education system in the state, adding that the retrofitting of schools in the state would still continue.
According to him, the new law mandating compulsory school attendance for children would come into effect on January 1, 2025, adding that under the law, it would be an offence for any parent or guardian in the state to fail to send their children or wards to school.
He said that the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi has been directed to activate necessary measures to enforce compliance.
The Information boss disclosed that the new COVID-19 variant, XEC is not in the state while Abia has been declared free from diphtheria, Mpox, and Cholera by the Centre for Disease Control.
Price Kanu disclosed that the recently renovated Emergency Operation Center, funded by CARITAS and located at the Abia State Insurance building has been handed over to the Ministry of Health, noting that the facility would serve as a central hub for coordinating responses to public health emergencies.
On road Infrastructure, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry of Works has completed three new road projects in Aba, including the Cemetery Road Phase 2, Umule Road, and Umuocham Road which are slated for commissioning soon.
He said that the projects would bring the total number of commissioned roads under Governor Otti’s administration to 20 in addition to the 147 rehabilitated roads, completed through direct labour, in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state.
Prince Kanu assured residents and visitors of adequate security during this yuletide, adding that preparations are underway to provide a safe and joyous yuletide for all.
Contributing, the commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi said the smart schools would begin with secondary schools, saying that existing schools would be retrofitted for the purpose and teachers’ skills upgraded.
