The Abia State Government, Monday, unveiled multi-faceted initiatives which demonstrate a comprehensive approach by the present administration towards promoting security, healthcare, education and environmental sustainability in the state.
The initiatives set to be rolled out by the state government include the “Operation Crush initiative”, “Light-up Abia Initiative”, the “Reclaim Our Schools Initiative”, as well as plans to , promote renewable energy sources, and increase awareness on the importance of environmental conservation.
Briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting at Government House Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu described the formal launch of the “Operation Crush Initiative”,scheduled for Tuesday this week, as part of the Governor Otti led administration’s commitment to enhancing security within the state.
Flanked by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Commissioner for Education,Prof Uche Eme Uche and his Environment/Urban Renewal, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, Prince Kanu also disclosed that the “Lighten- up Abia Initiative” is also on course, with plans to illuminate major streets in Aba, Umuahia, and other areas of the state using solar-powered street lights.
According to him, the initiative is part of the broader “Keep Abia Clean Initiative,” which includes efforts to trim the grass on the express road median from Okigwe to Imo Gate of the Enugu Port Harcourt expressway, contributing to the development and accessibility of Abia.
The Information Commissioner revealed that there would be an upcoming Oil and Gas Summit scheduled for October and added that the state is receiving significant attention from investors.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba while providing more insight into the “Light-up Abia Initiative”, said the program would be implemented in phases, commencing with Umuahia, the state capital, with the aim of revitalizing nightlife in Umuahia and other cities while simultaneously addressing issues of criminality.
Speaking on the “Reclaim Our Schools Initiative”, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Eme Uche, explained that the community-based effort involves reconstructing and transferring control of selected public primary and secondary schools to local communities.
The Commissioner added that the collaborative approach engages stakeholders in the education sector, including financial organizations and individuals, with the goal of restoring public school lands and enhancing education standards.
Professor Uche Eme appreciated private school proprietors for their role in bridging educational gaps and urged them to participate in the proposed re-accreditation exercise by the State government and assured that the exercise is intended to enhance minimum educational standards and is not intended as a witch-hunt against any private school.
Also speaking , the Commissioner for Environment and Urban Renewal, Mr Philemon Ogbonna announced that Abia is set to host its inaugural Climate Change Summit in September
and expressed regret that previous governments did not prioritize domestication of climate change policies for environmental safety.
Ogbonna, who highlighted the importance of implementing climate change policies at the state level, urged Abia residents to collaborate with the present administration’s efforts for the overall development of the state.
