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Category: Abia Update

  • Abia Government Rolls Out Civil Service Estate, Boosts City Beautification

    Abia Government Rolls Out Civil Service Estate, Boosts City Beautification

    Umuahia, Abia State – January 20, 2026 – The Abia State Government has announced plans to construct a Civil Service Commission/Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia, aimed at delivering affordable and quality housing for residents. The announcement was made by Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, following the State Executive Council meeting.

    “The Ministry of Housing will soon commence work on the project, in line with Governor Alex Otti’s vision to improve the welfare of Abia citizens through sustainable housing,” Kanu said.

    The government is also in advanced discussions with private developers under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to develop housing estates at Mbaisii and Mgbarakuma, Umuahia. Agreements are near completion to allow construction to begin promptly.

    As part of its Urban Renewal Programme, the state has intensified efforts to beautify the capital, including tree planting, road repairs, installation of signs, and removal of shanties and illegal building projections. Residents and landlords have been given deadlines to comply, with enforcement by the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA). Landlords are required to carry out routine maintenance or facelifts within four weeks.

    In the health sector, the state has recruited 649 medical personnel, including 432 nurses deployed to primary healthcare centers and a neurosurgeon with a rare specialty. Recruitment will continue until the approved 771 positions are filled.

    On transportation, temporary charging stations have been installed to support the government’s free electric bus services, while two distribution substations at the Umuahia Bus Terminal are 80% completed.

    In the power sector, the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) will soon regulate electricity activities, enhancing consumer protection and service delivery following the transfer of regulatory authority from NERC.

    The government also banned illegal commercial vehicle parking and warned defaulters of impoundment.

    The Forum of Academic Doctors recently recognized Governor Alex Otti as the best performing governor in the South-East, citing reforms across housing, health, power, and urban development.

  • Abia Enacts Startup Law, Launches Electric Bus Project

    Abia Enacts Startup Law, Launches Electric Bus Project

    Even as states in Nigeria’s North grapple with existential security challenges, some southern states continue to push forward with strategic development initiatives.

    One such state is Abia, where Governor Alex Otti has assented to the Startup Bill passed by the House of Assembly, officially enacting it as the Abia State Startup Law, 2025.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held in Umuahia.

    Kanu said the law was designed to domesticate and implement the Nigerian Startup Act, 2022 within Abia State.

    According to him, the legislation provides a framework to promote innovation, support technology-enabled startups, nurture digital talent, and position Abia as a hub for technology and innovation.

    “The law applies to companies with major operations in Abia and startups duly recognised and labelled under the national Act,” he said.

    The commissioner also announced plans to roll out a state-owned electric bus mass transit system under the Abia Transport Transformation Project.

    He said the first batch of 20 electric buses arrived in November, while another 20 are expected early next year. About 100 buses will be deployed in the first phase of the project.

    Kanu explained that the 40-seater buses, which are custom-built for Abia, can travel up to 400 kilometres on a single charge.

    He added that the buses are equipped with modern safety and comfort features, including surveillance cameras, charging ports, disability access, emergency exits and fire extinguishers.

    According to him, the initiative will position Abia at the forefront of clean and environmentally friendly mass transit in Nigeria.

    On long-term planning, Kanu disclosed that the Abia 25-Year Development Plan would be unveiled on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. He said the event would attract development partners, advisory council members, local government chairmen, traditional rulers and other stakeholders.

    In the health sector, the commissioner said the Abia Global Medical Mission commenced on Monday and would run until December 20, 2025, offering free advanced medical services across designated centres in the state.

    He also announced that 850 youths would graduate from the second cohort of the Abia Techrise ICT Training Programme on Saturday, bringing the total number of beneficiaries trained under the programme in 2025 to 1,399.

    Kanu further said the Ministry of Works was carrying out direct labour interventions on major roads ahead of the yuletide.

    He urged residents to remain vigilant during the festive season and report suspicious activities to security agencies, noting that security agencies have been placed on full alert to protect lives and property across the state.

  • Abia Budgets N1.016 Trillion, Focus Education, Health, Roads in 2026

    Abia Budgets N1.016 Trillion, Focus Education, Health, Roads in 2026

    Umuahia, Abia State – Governor Alex Otti on Tuesday presented a N1.016 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Abia State House of Assembly, describing it as the “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities.”

    The proposed budget represents a 13 per cent increase over the 2025 appropriation of N750.28 billion and is aimed at fast-tracking infrastructure expansion, enhancing social services, and deepening ongoing reforms across the state.

    Of the total outlay, N811.8 billion, or 80 per cent, is earmarked for capital projects, while recurrent expenditure accounts for N204.4 billion, representing 20 per cent of the budget.

    Compared with 2025, the capital vote increased by 32 per cent, and recurrent expenditure rose by 33 per cent to support daily operations and new personnel.

    Governor Otti highlighted allocations for key sectors, with education receiving N203.2 billion, including N150.4 billion for salaries of at least 15,000 teachers and new school infrastructure.

    Plans include constructing 17 model primary and secondary schools, three technical colleges, staff quarters, and over 100 ICT laboratories. Tertiary institutions will receive N52.8 billion for staff salaries and new facilities.

    The health sector is set to receive N149.7 billion, representing 15 per cent of the budget, for the acquisition of new equipment at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, 23 other facilities, and the renovation of seven general hospitals.

    Road construction and rehabilitation will take N169.3 billion, or 16.7 per cent of the budget, with priority given to the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene, Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende, and Umuahia-Umueze-Agwu roads.

    The transport sector is allocated N11.1 billion, including N6 billion to fund 80 additional electric buses, complete transport terminals, and build bus shelters.

    Other allocations include over N229 billion for agriculture, entrepreneurship, youth development, sports, ICT, women’s empowerment, housing, environment, and urban renewal.

    Governor Otti projected the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) to reach N223.4 billion in 2026, up from a target of about N100 billion in 2025.

    Recurrent expenses will be fully funded from IGR. Federal allocations are projected at N83.2 billion from FAAC, N67.1 billion from VAT, N26.5 billion from grants, and N168 billion from other federal sources, bringing total revenue to N607.2 billion.

    The governor indicated a budget deficit of N409 billion, or 40 per cent of the budget, which will be financed through concessionary loans strictly for capital projects. He stressed that loans would not be used to fund recurrent expenditure.

    Governor Otti urged the House to consider and pass the budget, emphasizing its importance in sustaining the state’s development trajectory.

    Responding, Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa noted that the state had inherited a deep fiscal hole in 2023 but praised the administration for restoring stability.

    He said the 2026 budget reflects growing responsibilities and expanding development needs and commended the governor for prudent fiscal management.

    Emeruwa assured the governor that the House would thoroughly review the estimates and support initiatives that benefit the state.

  • Otti grants grants automatic employment to 9 ex-corps members

    Otti grants grants automatic employment to 9 ex-corps members

    Gov Alex Otti of Abia has given automatic employment to nine ex-National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of Abia origin that received the Presidential Honours awards at the end of their service year.

    Otti announced the automatic employment while receiving the ex-Corps members led by the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Gladys Adama in his office on Tuesday.

    The governor directed the State Head of Service to issue them with appointment letters with immediate effect.

    “On behalf of the state government, you are going to leave here with a token; but beyond the token, I hereby temporarily lift the embargo on employment to employ the nine of you, except if any of you is not interested.

    “So, having lifted that embargo and having employed all of you, I also close the embargo,” the governor declared.

    He directed the state’s Attorney-General to communicate to the head of service to effect the employment of the nine ex-Corps members without interviews.

    “So, all you need to do is to go and do your documentation and then you can start work on Monday,” Otti stated.

    Otti, who appreciated them for their outstanding performances, charged them to continue to be outstanding in everything they did.

    He also thanked the State NYSC Coordinator for the great work she had done and for bringing them to him.

    Mr. Chinomso Nwogu, who responded on behalf of the ex-Corps members, thanked the governor for the recognition and appointment given to them.

    He promised that they would serve the state with commitment.

    “We are here to sincerely express our heartfelt gratitude to you, your excellency, for the recognition.

    “We also want to use this opportunity to commend your good work in the state.

    “You are a true leader. You are the Joshua of our time. Our prayer is that Almighty God, will give you the wisdom to continue to pilot the affairs of this state in Jesus Name. Amen, ” he prayed.

    The NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, while presenting the ex-Corps members, said that they made the state proud during their service year.

    She said that they were decorated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 July following their outstanding performances in service.

    “I have come with these nine who have done Abia proud, out of about a hundred and something, Abia came first with nine of them.

    “They have excelled in their various places of primary assignment. As you have been told, none of them served in Abia. In fact, only one of them served in the east; others served far away in the North,” Adama said.

    The ex-Corps members granted automatic employment include, Nwogu Chinonso Nwogo, Promise  Anyanwụ, Ezieme Uba, Ezinne Emmanuel, Grace Abia, Chiemela Nwafike, Dr Mark Ugwa, Miracle Eke and James Chukwuebuka.

  • Abia Increases Salaries of Traditional Rulers  

    Abia Increases Salaries of Traditional Rulers  

    The Abia State Government has approved an increase in the monthly payments for traditional rulers in the state. 

    Traditional leaders will now receive between N250,000 and N350,000, with an extra N100,000 added for members of the Traditional Rulers Council at the state and local levels.  

    This decision was announced on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, following a State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.

    READ ALSO: PSC Sacks two erring officers, punish others

     He said the government aims to honor traditional rulers and promote the state’s culture.  

    Additionally, the government is working on updating its 30-year development plan to address current economic conditions.

     A State Economic Team will soon be inaugurated to handle the re-basing process, which involves adjusting the economy’s base year to reflect updated prices.  

    READ ALSO: Peter Obi and Tinubu’s, APC’s morbid line

    The government has also revamped its Harmonized Taskforce to enforce rules against street trading and driving against traffic. 

    These actions are intended to protect the state’s roads and prevent accidents caused by one-way driving.  

    In education, Abia has begun implementing its Out-of-School Policy as schools reopen after the holidays. 

    A special taskforce has been set up to ensure children return to school, with a goal of eliminating out-of-school children across the state.  

  • Abia State to Enforce Free Education  

    Abia State to Enforce Free Education  

    Abia State Government, South East Nigeria, has announced free and mandatory primary education for all children starting January 2025. 

    This policy will apply to pupils from grades one to three in public schools, with the aim of ensuring that no child is left out of the educational system.  

    In line with this directive, parents and guardians are now legally obligated to enroll their children, as per the Abia Child’s Rights Law of 2006. 

    The administration warns that non-compliance will result in legal action.  

    Governor Otti’s administration has also paid off 90% of the N191 billion debt inherited without resorting to loans. 

    The government is pressing ahead with the relocation of Abia State University’s Law Faculty from Umuahia back to its main campus in Uturu, citing public interest as the driving factor.  

    Additionally, contracts have been awarded for the rehabilitation of nine roads across the state. 

    Urgent repairs are also underway on the Osisioma flyover, which has shown signs of wear less than two years after its construction.

     The government reassures residents that these issues pose no immediate danger.  

    Efforts are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the new minimum wage, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving living standards and infrastructure.

  • LG Financial Autonomy: Abia Assembly Denies Target Bill

    LG Financial Autonomy: Abia Assembly Denies Target Bill

    The Abia State House of Assembly has clarified that it has not approved any legislation that would centralize local government funding or undermine their financial autonomy. 

    The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon Austin Okezie, firmly rejected claims of a bill aimed at creating a Central Management Agency for local government funds, branding such reports as false.

    Okezie explained that the House’s recent discussions focused on the “Abia State Rural Access Road Agency” (ASRARA) bill, which aims to establish a body for managing rural road projects in partnership with the World Bank under the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP). 

    He pointed out that this initiative has already been adopted by 19 states, including Ebonyi and Sokoto, and is designed to improve rural infrastructure.

    The Deputy Speaker emphasized the importance of local governments in this project, stating that the ASRARA bill is essential for accessing necessary funding for rural roads, as these roads primarily fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities.

     He dismissed rumours of a walkout by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the deliberation, clarifying that the absence of some members was due to personal matters unrelated to the bill’s discussions.

    Okezie urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, noting that social media has been rife with unfounded claims about the Assembly’s stance on local government autonomy.

     He reassured the citizens of Abia that the Assembly’s initiatives are designed to benefit the state’s residents, urging them to recognize the positive impact of such legislative efforts.

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