The Abia State Government says it has received and processed 17,000 applications in its ongoing online recruitment exercise for teachers at the basic and secondary school levels.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu stated that shortlisted candidates would undergo a computer-based test, with those who pass proceeding to an oral interview before final recruitment.
He assured the public that the recruitment exercise would be transparent, merit-based, and open to all applicants regardless of their state of origin.
“The shortlisted candidates would be subjected to a Computer-based test, after which those who pass such a test will attempt an oral interview.
“It is after that process that they will be finally recruited. What is key here is that in all these the exercise will be merit-based and transparent. There will be equal opportunities for everybody“, the Commissioner assured.
Prince Kanu also announced the successful conclusion of the Belgium Medical Mission, which resulted in 114 major surgeries and treatment of an additional 915 patients with various medical conditions.
The Commissioner noted that the Mission made it possible for the State Government to acquire a new set of sophisticated medical equipment for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) where the medical mission took place.
He added that going forward, the Ministry of Health would establish new standards for medical outreaches in the State state.
Prince Kanu further revealed that the State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has awarded contracts for the maintenance of roads across seven Local Government Areas including, Isuikwuato, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Ikwuano, Ukwa East, and Ugwunagbo.
He disclosed that the 59-kilometer road project falls under the Abia State Rural Access Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) and is being funded by the World Bank adding that Contractors are expected to be mobilized to the site soon.
“This is a world bank assisted project and the contractors would soon be mobilized to site.
“This no doubt adds another dimension to the rural road infrastructural development agenda of this administration,” Prince Kanu noted.
The Commissioner disclosed that the draft document for the Abia State Social Protection Policy was recently reviewed during a workshop in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He said that the policy aims to provide Social security for citizens, particularly the most vulnerable groups, to address poverty and unemployment.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Felix, highlighted that the plan to repair rural roads reflects Governor Otti’s commitment to empowering local businesses and Communities
“We call it backlog of rural road maintenance and 59 kilometres of rural roads are involved.
“This is part of Governor Alex Otti ‘s commitment towards empowerment of local communities’ businesses as their livelihood depends on accessible roads and robust agriculture.
“It’s an ongoing project geared towards having agricultural hubs which is to improve access to rural areas by rehabilitating and maintaining key rural infrastructure in order to support agricultural marketing and logistics and reduce post harvest loses”, Mrs Felix noted.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, his Education counterpart, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Njoku Ukoha Njoku were part of the briefing.
