Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has approved N1 billion for the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme following the State Executive Council’s approval for its formal rollout.
In addition, the governor has appointed Dr. Emmanuel Mereibeole, a retired Permanent Secretary from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, as Special Adviser on Projects to oversee the Abia Airport project.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, and the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, disclosed these developments during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
Kanu emphasized the importance of the scheme, stating: “This is one of the health schemes that underscores the high premium the administration places on the health sector. It’s a scheme that will grant Abia workers and indeed Abia citizenry access to affordable healthcare services upon rollout.”
Professor Uche elaborated on the scheme’s purpose, explaining that it aims to address the healthcare needs of Abia workers and their dependents.
He further clarified the financial structure, noting: “N500 million out of the N1 billion approved by the Governor would be paid in the first tranche, while the balance would be released after six months.”
He also stated that the governor had directed a three-month sensitization campaign for workers to ensure they understand and embrace the initiative.
According to Uche, “As you all know, the basic healthcare provider fund, which provides for the vulnerable groups, is already on. As we speak, over 54,000 enrollees in that basic health insurance fund are already benefiting from the scheme.”
Regarding funding, he explained: “By law, every civil servant is supposed to contribute five percent of his basic salary to the insurance scheme, whereas the state will contribute 10 percent. But the Governor has approved that the state will pay 12.5 percent to start with for the first six months, whereas each civil servant will contribute 2.5 percent.”
Meanwhile, Prince Kanu provided updates on “Project Ekwueme,” an initiative to construct 200 primary health centers across the 184 wards in the state.
He noted: “What that means is that very soon, the project will be completed and ready for commissioning.”
On water projects, he stated that the Ministry of Power and Public Utilities is making steady progress, adding: “I want to inform you that the water project they embarked upon at Aro Ajatakiri is 100 percent completed. The other water projects they embarked upon in Aro Achara in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government and at Umuetigha Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area have reached advanced stages of completion.”
Kanu also highlighted the ministry’s work on the Water Supply and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) Programme, explaining that it involves constructing modern toilet facilities to discourage open defecation.
On the recruitment of teachers, he clarified that the reopening of the application portal from March 8 to 12 was to assist applicants who encountered issues while uploading their bio-data, phone numbers, LGAs, and other necessary details.
Regarding Dr. Mereibeole’s appointment, Kanu stated: “The newly appointed Adviser on Projects, Dr. Mereibeole, had served as Chief Policy Adviser to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.” He added that Mereibeole would play a crucial role in overseeing the Abia Airport project.
Also present at the press briefing were the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media & Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma.
