The Abia State Government says it has completed 9 out of the 63 model schools being built across the State as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning in public schools.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the this week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu described the development as “another milestone in the administration’s effort to transform the Education sector”.
“Nine out of the 63 schools under renovation across the State have been completed and are ready for use. The remaining 54 are at various levels of completion”, he said.
He explained that the initiative was part of Governor Alex Otti’s plan to provide a conducive learning environment across the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
“The completed schools are spread across the three senatorial zones of the State in line with the inclusive style of governance of this administration,” Prince Kanu added.
The Commissioner listed the completed schools to include; “Nkata Community Primary School, Umuahia, Ibeku High School Umuahia, Ohuhu Community Secondary School Umuahia, Migrant Farmers Primary School, Uratta in Osisioma and Umuagbai Secondary School, Aba North.
“Others are Abayi Nchokoro Primary School, Ugwunagbo Owerri Aba Primary School, Ugwunagbo Omoba Central Model Primary School Isiala South and Abiriba Mmaju Memorial Primary School Ohafia”.
Prince Kanu also revealed that work is ongoing in three smart schools located at Ogbo Primary School, Ubakala in Umuahia South LGA, Umuomaiukwu Primary School, Isiala North LGA and Umuagbai Secondary School, Aba South LGA.
“Currently, 100 teachers are undergoing a special training programme designed to equip them with the skills required to operate the smart schools effectively”, Prince Kanu said.
He said the training which would last three weeks is already in its second week adding that the reposting of some of the newly recruited teachers would be concluded within the week.
On infrastructure, the commissioner disclosed that construction activities would intensify as the rains begin to abate, with work ongoing on 32 contract road sites and 55 direct labour projects under the government’s Zero Potholes Initiative.
“If you look around Umuahia, you will notice that you can hardly see potholes anymore and it is the same in Aba. Where there are potholes, they are quickly patched up”, he said.
Prince Kanu further announced that Governor Otti would on Friday, flag off the construction of the 25-kilometre Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road and the 13.1-kilometre Ariam–Usaka Ring Road in Ikwuano.
The Commissioner listed 12 direct labour projects recently completed by the Ministry of Works to include; St. Michael’s Drive and Government Layout Ehimiri Extension, Justice Okoroafor Close, Afara, Uzuama Road through Corpers Lodge off Aba Road, Afara as well as the Umunkpeghi–Ezeala–Umuoru–Nvosi Road in Isiala South Local Government Area.
He noted that the State Government, through the Greater Aba Development Authority(GADA), is executing several urban renewal projects to restore Aba’s commercial position.
“The Eziama Pedestrian Bridge near Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic is under construction, and the fabrication of the superstructure is ongoing off-site,” he said.
Prince Kanu further disclosed said that GADA is also constructing two roads including the Aba Ring Road from Umaduru to Okpulor Umuobo, and the road from Seven Up to Okpulor Umuobo.
He added that six other roads, including Elizabeth Avenue, Igbo Avenue, Sacred Heart Street, Ihuoma Street, Afule–Okpulor Umuobo Road, and Ozuomba Road, were being handled through direct labour.
According to Prince Kanu, the Ovom Street erosion control project in Aba being executed using rigid pavement technology is nearing completion, noting that work is progressing on the Enyimba Hotel project, which would be managed by Radisson Blu.
“The Enyimba Hotel project is progressing well and it is a 120-room hotel facility, and the official flag-off will take place in a few weeks”, Prince Kanu said.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining its development agenda across education, infrastructure and the economy for the benefit of all Abians.
