The Abia State Government in a bid to empower citizens with practical skills and foster self-reliance, has announced plans to establish tuition-free schools for skills acquisition in the three Senatorial zones of the state.
Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, made the announcement on Monday, while briefing Journalists at Government House Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Okey Kanu
Prince Kanu who emphasized the state government’s commitment to prioritizing skills development, said participants would be provided with financial support to establish their own businesses inorder to enable them to become self reliant entrepreneurs.
He said that the move would not only create employment opportunities for youths but would also bolster economic growth within the state.
“This is in line with the State Government’s stance as a serious minded government that is not given to frivolities.
“This government does not believe in empowering people with Keke and the likes rather the government is interested in training people who will acquire skills and who will be trained so that they can stand on their own.
“The schools would be tuition free and at the end of their training they would be empowered with funds to go and start their own business“, the Commissioner stated.
He said the initiative aims to equip participants with essential skills such as Solar Power Assembly and Installation, POP designing and installation, Painting, Measuring, Tiling, among others.
Prince Kanu further said that by providing access to quality training, the government aims to address the shortage of skilled artisans within the state and reduce reliance on external sources for such services.
The Commissioner announced the suspension of this month’s Environmental Sanitation Exercise pointing out that the decision was as a result of the commissioning of the Geometric Power plant scheduled for Saturday, the 24th of February.
Prince Kanu who added that the suspension aims to facilitate the smooth movement of visitors expected to attend the event, emphasized the importance of maintaining clean environment and encouraged Abians to ensure that their immediate environments are cleaned up.
The Commissioner also announced that the Gas supply from Owaza to the Geometric Power Generation plant has commenced last Saturday, signaling the plant’s readiness to commence operations.
He noted that the development underscores the present administration’s commitment to enhancing power supply within the state, which is crucial for industrial and economic development.
Prince Kanu disclosed that the state government has announced a ban on one-way traffic across all parts of the state and warned that driving against traffic will now be considered a serious offense, as part of government’s effort to promote road safety and discourage reckless driving practices.
“A special task force would be established to enforce traffic regulations and crackdown on traffic violations in the state”.
“This is in keeping with the culture of doing things right as being preached by this government. We don’t like people who engage in unwholesome acts, people who revel in impunity and drive against traffic causing accidents and all kinds of confusion on the roads.
“Going forward, driving against traffic will be a very serious offence in the state and like I informed you not too long ago, some special taskforce is being set up. It’s a one stop taskforce that will handle every form of enforcement in the state.
“So in the days and weeks ahead, those of us who are in the habit of driving against traffic should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law”, the Commissioner noted.
Contributing,, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday, said that the overall interest of the state government is to ensure steady and affordable power supply for industrialization and economic rejuvenation of the state.
He noted that in an effort to ensure Abians enjoy services they paid for, the Geometric Power Generation Company, is at present working on a mass metering project in Aba and expressed the hope that EEDC will consider working on same to enable Abians enjoy their services without grudge.
Mr Philemon Ogbonna
The Commissioner for Environment Hon. Philemon Ogbonna was present during the briefing.
