As Abia State prepares to mark the second anniversary of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, the State Government has announced that the event will be observed in a low-key manner, despite notable strides in governance and development over the past 23 months.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this on Monday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Exco meeting presided over by Governor Otti.
Prince Kanu who explained the reason for the State Government’s choice of a low key option said that the celebration would focus on introspection and evaluation rather than pomp and pageantry.
“The Government believes that the achievements recorded so far and the work we still need to do constitutes some form of work in progress.
“So rather than just roll out the drums to celebrate it will be a period of stock taking some form of mid term review of the achievements,the highs and lows of the State Government
“The celebration will offer us the opportunity to look back at those things that we have been able to do and may be those we have not been able to do and probably to chart a course forward for the remaining two year of our administration”, Prince Kanu said.
The Commissioner revealed that activities lined up for the anniversary include an interdenominational thanksgiving service, presentation of scorecards by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as the commissioning of completed projects, and the flag-off of new ones.
He noted that several roads in Aba under the Urban Renewal Agenda of the State Government including Umuode road, Bakassi road, and Isi-Ihitteukwu Close are completed and awaiting commissioning.
“Also the construction of Umuosi, Ihuoma and Umukanna Roads as part of the Urban Renewal Agenda of the State Government through GADA is ongoing.
“Those projects have reached advanced stages and they will be completed and commissioned as well”, Prince Kanu said.
The Commissioner also disclosed plans to develop a “new Umuahia City”, to expand the capital’s landscape and aesthetics, along with the renovation of the long-neglected vocational and skills center at Mgbarakuma.
He noted that ongoing beautification efforts in Umuahia, including the planting of trees along Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, road reconstruction on Library Avenue to FMC junction, and plans for a redesigned Government House Roundabout and Cooperative Junction.
“The reconstruction of the Library Avenue to FMC junction has reached an advanced stage. The Cooperative Junction is on the verge of being asphalted together a section of Item Road.
“The Roundabout in front of Government House, Umuahia will soon be wearing a new look. A median will be introduced at the T-Junction the flows from the Okpara Avenue to the Abia Line area”, Prince Kanu stated.
The Commissioner said that Abia is poised to enter the Guinness Book of Records, due to the creative effort of an Aba-based artist, Mr. Nuel Geoffrey.
Prince Kanu said that with support from the State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Geoffrey is set to paint 300 faces in one hour on May 23rd at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, a feat that would surpass the current record of 217.
“The Arts , Culture and Creative Economy is actively supporting this process of promoting a local talent in order to showcase the creative potentials of Abians at the global stage
“We are aware that currently Abians are holding their heads up high in all parts of the country and the world and this is what has happened in the past 23 months.
“Hitherto it was not so, any where Abia State was mentioned people will look down but today Abians hold their heads high and it is all part of the achievements of the State Government”, the Commissioner noted.
Prince Kanu also highlighted the State’s recent achievements in sports, with Abia clinching 33 medals — 9 gold, 10 silver, and 14 bronze at the maiden NDDC Sports Festival.
He added that the State hosted the U-12 and U-15 National Handball Championships, involving 12 states, while the Abia Warriors Football Club chasees a continental slot after defeating Rivers United 2-0.
“These milestones underscore the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports,” he said.
Prince Kanu who condemned acts of vandalism and theft of public properties, revealed the arrest of the Facility Manager and two staff members of the Aba Textile Mill for alleged robbery and sabotage.
“The State Government is using this medium to warn all unscrupulous persons whose stock in trade is to steal and vandalise government property to desist from such criminal tendencies or be ready to face the wrath of the law”, the Commissioner warned.
