Governor Alex Otti has lauded the Management of the Abia State Polytechnic for securing a ₦2 billion Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Special High Impact Intervention grant, describing it as a remarkable achievement for the institution and the State.
Speaking during the August Edition of his monthly Media Parley tagged “Governor Otti Speaks”, the Governor noted that 18 State Polytechnics across Nigeria benefitted from the intervention, with Abia being the only beneficiary in the South East Geo political zone.
“The report I got was that we are beneficiaries of a ₦2 billion TETFund Special High Impact Fund. I understand that there are 18 State Polytechnics countrywide that benefited from that fund. We are one of them. We are the only one in the South.
“So I use this opportunity to congratulate the Rector and his team for working very hard to earn us such a pride of place”, he said.
Governor Otti disclosed that the funds would facilitate the continued development of the Osisioma Campus of the Polythenic, where lecture theatres, hostels, laboratories, and other structures are being built.
He announced that the Osisioma Campus is expected to commence operations from the next academic session adding that the current Aba campus is also undergoing major renovations.
“Virtually all the buildings have been renovated. The lecture theatre is going to be completed very soon in the new one that we are building. A lot of good things are happening. Enrolment has also increased”, he stated.
The Governor further highlighted academic reforms in the Institution especially the introduction of contemporary courses aligned with global trends such as artificial intelligence, robotics among others.
Governor Otti further confirmed that work is progressing at the Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, which recently regained accreditation, noting that the institution is witnessing extensive infrastructure upgrades.
At the Abia State University Uturu, the Governor affirmed that new faculties of Agriculture and Law are being retrofitted with upgrades to lecture halls, hostels, internal roads and electricity supply.
“We are fencing the College of Education. We are also fixing internal roads, providing electricity, renovating lecture theatres and hostels. And getting ready to compete, hopefully we will be where we want to be.
“The State University, Uturu is receiving attention. The hostels are being retrofitted with new faculties of Agriculture and Law.
“Construction must have begun by now because all the approvals were secured about two weeks ago. The contractors have been mobilised and I believe that they will go to site any moment from now. If they have not gone”, he said.
Governor Otti in response to an opposition statement demanding accountability over funds allocated for the renovation of public schools, disclosed that his administration has, in the current year alone, spent ₦14.43 billion on the renovation and upgrade of schools across the state.
He noted that 20 Smart Schools are currently under construction, while 221 primary and secondary schools are undergoing rehabilitation in the first phase of the State’s comprehensive upgrade programme.
Governor Otti disclosed that 5,394 new teachers have been recruited and deployed with postings reviewed to ensure optimal service delivery.
The Governor who also reeled out an extensive list of ongoing projects across Healthcare, Infrastructure and Youth Empowerment, said that 120 out of 200 targeted Primary Healthcare Centers under the Project Ekwueme have been rehabilitated, with expanded scope to include staff accommodation to enable 24-hour service.
He said all 22 General Hospitals in the state are under renovation, including the Health facilities at Amachara, Ohafia, and Aba.
Governor Otti who revealed approval has been granted to hire 771 Healthcare professionals, noted that the State’s Health Insurance Scheme has enrolled 101,000 residents.
On Infrastructure, he said about 50 road projects are being executed directly by the State alongside Urban Renewal measures such as road lighting, tree planting, and the construction of bus terminals in Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia.
Governor Otti revealed that the state is finalising the takeover of Umuahia Electricity Supply, adding that the State has established the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency and advancing plans for a 15-megawatt independent power project for Abia State University and its environs.
Governor Otti also outlined Youth Empowerment initiatives of his administration including the ongoing leadership academy for 8,000 young people, the TechRise and fashion enterprise programmes, and a ₦2 billion interest-free cooperative loan scheme.
He emphasised that his administration prefers to empower citizens for sustainable livelihoods rather than relying on “a culture of palliatives and handouts”.
Governor Otti who assured that many of the projects embarked by his administration would be ready for commissioning before the end of the quarter, affirmed that the present government is determined to fix schools, hospitals, roads, empower the youths and ensure that the economy runs beyond daylight hours.
