Abia government to renovate 200 health centres, reclaim public lands, expand road projects

• The renovation, led by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency
  

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The Abia State government has announced plans to renovate and upgrade 200 primary healthcare centers across the state by the end of the year.

Information Commissioner Okey Kanu revealed the details during a media briefing following the State Executive Council meeting, chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

According to Kanu, the renovation, led by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Abia State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, will begin in September and be completed within 100 days.

“Work on these centers will start in the first week of September, and we expect delivery by December. All 184 wards in the state will benefit from this initiative, providing a much-needed boost to healthcare services,” he said.

Addressing the recovery of public land illegally acquired by private individuals, Kanu stated that a committee has started reclaiming properties, beginning with land belonging to Government College, Umuahia. He assured residents that the government remains committed to retrieving all encroached land despite potential resistance.

On education reforms, Kanu mentioned that verification of private schools previously shut down would soon begin, while the ongoing training for primary and secondary school teachers is nearing completion.

Regarding infrastructure, Kanu reported that 108 roads have been rehabilitated through direct labor, with design work progressing for the Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuala and Onuimo-Tower of Peace roads.

Tertiary Education Commissioner Prof. Emeh Uche dismissed rumors that the government is demolishing illegally constructed buildings on Government College land, clarifying that only foundation-level structures were removed, and existing properties will be put to appropriate use.

Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, addressed concerns over disease outbreaks, confirming two cholera cases and enhanced efforts to strengthen isolation centers. He also noted that 13 suspected Monkeypox cases were recorded in Isiala Ngwa, with one confirmed positive.

Additionally, the government has identified properties for demolition in the Umuikaa-Owerrinta road expansion, with compensation payments set to begin soon, according to the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.