Abia State Government has announced plans to launch the Cohort 3 of its digital skills training programme for youths, as part of ongoing efforts to empower young people with technology-driven opportunities.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the portal for registration would soon be opened for interested applicants adding that the date and necessary details will be made available to the public in due course.
“In continuation of the strategic empowerment of Abia youths through capacity building in digital technology, the State Government will soon launch the Cohort 3 of its programme.
“As it has become the practice, a portal will soon be open for interested participants to register. The date and necessary details will be made available in due course”, the Commissioner said.
He noted that about 1,350 young Abians had already benefited from the first two cohorts of the programme.
On road infrastructure, Prince Kanu said direct labour road works are ongoing in 49 locations across the state, while 31 other projects are being handled by contractors.
The Commissioner who announced the completion of the 1.25-kilometre Madonna Hospital Road off Aba Road in Umuahia, also listed four new road projects recently added to the Ministry of Works’ maintenance schedule, including the Okporoenyi–Isipu Road in Bende, Akara Junction–Ovim Bridge Road in Isuikwuato, and other sections in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
“The four new direct level works, the new ones that they have added to their basket include, amongst others, the construction of Okoroenyi-Isipu Road in Bende, that is a 1 kilometre road.
“The second one is maintenance of Akara-Ovim Road, Phase 1. That is Akara Junction to Ovim Bridge in the isuikwuato Local Government Area, that is a 4.71 kilometre road.
“The third one is the maintenance of the federal sections of Obinulo roundabout to Nkwoagu Secretariat gate, Nkwagu-Isochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area, that is an 8.6 kilometre road.
“The fourth road is the maintenance of failed sections of Nkwagu Junction to Nkwo Mbala-Isochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area,that is a 5.2 kilometre road”, he disclosed.
Prince Kanu confirmed the completion of Section Three of the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Ohafia Road project, measuring about 22.5 kilometres, bringing the total completed stretch to about 67.7 kilometres adding that the road would be commissioned soon.
“It is just as well that the road is now completed and very soon it will be commissioned”, Prince Kanu said.
He recalled that the first two sections of the road, covering 45.7 kilometres, were commissioned last year by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Commissioner, the final section experienced delays after contractors discovered that the soil condition required redesign and further approval from the State Government.
The Commissioner also announced that the State’s Mass Transit initiative has transitioned from a free transportation scheme to a subsidised commercial service with 50% government fare subsidy effective from March 1, 2026.
He explained that the subsidy applies to all inter- and intra-city routes under the Bus Service Scheme, noting that the transition is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.
“With the commercialisation of the mass transit scheme and the introduction of e-ticketing through the Abia Connect Card, obtaining the Abia State Social Administration Number becomes a conditional precedent for obtaining the Abia Connect Card”, he added.
According to Prince Kanu, the Ministry of Transport and several government agencies including the Harmonised Tax Force, Homeland Security and the Abia State Road Traffic Management Agency have begun extensive sensitization and enforcement exercises aimed at helping commuters at the various bus stops and bus shelters spread across the State.
The Commissioner further disclosed that enumerators and Touch-and-Pay agents have been deployed to assist commuters in registering and loading funds on their transport cards.
He said that the State currently has 70 bus shelters, with 30 located in Umuahia and 40 in Aba.
“The 30 in Umuahia are operational, in Aba, 38 are operational, while two will soon be completed for operations”, Prince Kanu stated.
He further revealed that 202,601 passengers had used the mass transit buses between December 24, 2025 and March 8, 2026, describing the rollout as robust and successful.
The Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukegbu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinard Ekeoma were present during the briefing.
