Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has restated his administration’s commitment to addressing the rising security challenges in parts of the state, particularly in Umunneochi and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas, with a firm declaration of zero tolerance for all forms of criminality.
Governor Otti disclosed this, on Thursday, at Government House Umuahia, during his Monthly Media Parley with Journalists tagged; “Governor Otti Speaks to Abians”.
The Governor emphasized that responsive security measures have been reactivated to address the disturbing trend, following recent incidents, including an attack on a serving commissioner by unknown gunmen along Umunneochi Road.
He reiterated that his administration maintains a zero-tolerance stance against all forms of criminal activity such as kidnapping, bank robbery, and fraud, stressing that security of lives and property remains a top priority to the present government.
On Healthcare delivery, Governor Otti revealed that some of the 200 Primary Health Centres currently undergoing renovation, retrofitting, and re-equipping across the state to improve access to quality medical services have been completed and commissioned.
The Governor noted that similar upgrade projects are ongoing in several Secondary Healthcare Facilities, including General Hospitals in Okeikpe, Umunneochi, Arochukwu, and Okpuala Ngwa.
While noting the existence of 948 Primary Health Centres in the State, Governor Otti assured that communities not captured in the current phase of rehabilitation would benefit in subsequent phases, with a target to renovate at least one centre in each political ward.
He also announced that the second phase of renovation at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, has commenced, featuring state-of-the-art equipment.
The Governor disclosed that preliminary works such as the creation of access roads and installation of street lights for the proposed Abia Medical City have been completed, with the formal launch of the project expected soon.
In the Education Sector, Governor Otti stated that 5,394 newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing orientation and will be deployed to schools across the State.
He also revealed plans to recruit an additional 4,000 teachers as part of the State Government’s strategy to engage over 9,000 teaching staff to meet manpower needs in the sector.
Addressing concerns over the poor state of public libraries, Governor Otti disclosed plans to set up a Library Board to oversee the revival of the State Library System and the establishment of modern libraries in all 17 Local Government Areas.
