The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development through its ongoing collaboration with the World Bank to review existing project portfolios across the State.
This follows a high-level meeting by Governor Alex Otti with the World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiame Diop, in Abuja last week.
The meeting, held on April 15, focused on reviewing World Bank projects in the state, with a special request by Governor Otti for the upgrade of rural road specifications under the Abia RAMP initiative to align with new quality standards.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu revealed this, Tuesday, during a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by the Governor.
“The purpose of the visit was to review ongoing World Bank project portfolios in the State, and to strengthen the existing partnership between Abia State Government and the World Bank towards a greater value addition, and to deliver sustainable development in the State with regards to existing project portfolios.
“The visit particularly focused on the Governor’s request for an upgrade of rural roads specifications under the Abia Ramp Project, to help the State achieve better value for rural roads construction, rehabilitation, as the case may be, to streamline the quality of roads infrastructure to the standard currently in place in the State, with the overall goal of reducing poverty while promoting sustainable development”, Prince Kanu emphasized.
According to him, the Governor was accompanied by top aides, including the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, the Special Assistant on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Mr. Adinaka Eric Eme, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on National Assembly Matters, Honorable Chima iheanyi.
On Health, the Commissioner disclosed that the University College of Health Sciences and Management Technology has secured new course accreditations in areas such as Community Health Technology, Students Industrial Work (SIWES), Public Health, and Health Information Technology.
Prince Kanu noted that the gains follow earlier accreditations granted to ABSUTH under the current administration
.
“One of the cardinal goals of this State Government in the education center is unwavering commitment to ensure that any of our higher institutions that requires accreditation, in whatever form, is granted same by the regulatory body responsible for such accreditation.
“Recall that one of the first achievements in the health sector, when this Government came into office, was to secure accreditation for ABSUT, that, for years, did not have their courses accredited, due partly to the ineptitudes of those who were in charge of certain matters then”, Prince Kanu stated.
He revealed that the collaborative Free Eye Care Outreach by the NNPC and the State’s Eye Health Management Board saw 5,944 patients screened, with 570 successful cataract surgeries conducted with 157 patients on the waiting list.
Prince Kanu who dismissed recent social media claims alleging that the Governor banned cow meat in the State, as a deliberate misinformation by opposition elements.
He noted that the present administration is focused on solving problems and not playing politics with the people’s welfare.
“The opposition we notice is so piqued that they couldn’t do in 24 years what this administration, that is barely 23 months, and will actually be two years by May 29, 2025, has been able to do.
“Let me remind the naysayers that this Government is not averse to constructive criticism.
“What the State Government found out, and including all right-thinking and patriotic Ambians, is a recourse to fake news.
Some range from the absurd to the ridiculous”, he said
The Commissioner also announced that the Ministry of Science and Technology will host the Abia Startup Act Stakeholder Forum in partnership with GIZ on April 24 at Damgrate Hotel, Umuahia.
He noted that the rural development projects such as the open defecation-free campaign and solar power installations are progressing in several LGAs including Isialangwa and Arochukwu.
“These efforts reflect the government’s commitment to spreading development across all communities in Abia State”, Prince Kanu stated.
