Governor Otti
The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, is set to formally launch the construction of an airport in Nsulu, Abia State, on Tuesday next week, according to the state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu.
During a press briefing following the weekly Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, Kanu revealed that the airport project is a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government.
Project Details;
Kanu explained that the original plan by the Federal Government was to build an airstrip, but Governor Alex Otti’s advocacy led to the decision to upgrade it into a full-scale airport.
“The state will contribute by constructing standard runways that can accommodate large aircraft,” Kanu noted.
He further highlighted that the completed airport would play a vital role in boosting the socio-economic development of the state and enhancing its tourism sector.
Educational Developments:
In addition to the airport project, Kanu shared the government’s plan to establish 20 smart schools across all 17 local government areas in Abia.
These schools will be equipped with interactive boards, internet access, and other modern technologies, with selected existing schools receiving upgrades.
Furthermore, new teachers will be recruited as part of the effort to improve education in the state.
This initiative complements the state’s new policy of free and compulsory education for children up to Junior Secondary 3, which will be implemented starting January 2025.
“The aim is to eliminate out-of-school children in Abia,” Kanu explained.
Health and Infrastructure Updates:
Kanu also addressed the state’s health preparedness, confirming that there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 variants, m-pox, diphtheria, or chickenpox.
He mentioned that the renovation of the Emergency Operation Centre by Caritas would serve as a key hub for managing disease outbreaks.
On infrastructure, the Commissioner announced the completion of three newly renovated roads in Aba, bringing the total number of roads reconstructed by the current administration to 147.
Budget and Public Education:
In other news, Governor Alex Otti is set to present the 2025 state budget to the Abia State House of Assembly on Tuesday, as part of the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic growth.
Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, spoke out against the poor quality of some private schools in Abia.
He emphasized that the introduction of smart schools and better teacher welfare, particularly in rural areas, would help raise the standard of public education and potentially reduce the number of students attending private schools.
The briefing was also attended by Chief Press Secretary Ukoha Njoku Ukoha and Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr. Goodluck Ubochi, who reiterated the administration’s dedication to bringing transformative change to Abia State.
