Abia to Launch MSME Policy, Establish Citizens’ Contact Centre

The Abia State Government has announced plans to launch a new Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policy aimed at boosting economic and industrial growth in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at the Government House in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu explained that the policy, which will be implemented through the Ministry of Industry and SMEs, is designed to align with the national MSME policy while addressing the unique business environment and opportunities in Abia State.

According to him, the policy document is expected to be ready for launch before the end of September 2026 and will position Abia among leading states in promoting small and medium-scale enterprises.

He said the policy would serve as a framework for creating a more enabling business environment, with a target of increasing MSME contribution to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 30 percent by 2030. The initiative will also improve access to finance, promote fair trading and expand market opportunities.

Kanu added that the policy would help transform the business sector, reduce rural-urban economic imbalance and stimulate job creation through various growth initiatives.

The commissioner also revealed that the state government is set to establish a Citizens’ Contact Centre to strengthen communication between residents and the government.

He said the centre would provide a platform for citizens to report complaints and offer feedback, enabling the government to track issues and improve service delivery.

According to him, the initiative will enhance official communication, support effective planning and reduce the need for residents to visit government offices for minor complaints.

Kanu further announced that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) has received full accreditation from the West African College of Physicians for the training of doctors in community medicine.

He noted that the accreditation, which will last for five years, reflects the improvements recorded in the hospital since the current administration assumed office.

“When this government came into office, the hospital was in a very poor state and had lost its accreditation for several programmes. One of the first steps we took was to restore those accreditations, and today we are seeing positive results,” he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that a joint free medical outreach by AMPA and the Abia State Government will hold from April 11 to April 17, 2026, at Aba General Hospital and Abia State Specialist Hospital, Umuahia.

The outreach will provide free medical consultations, general surgeries, eye care services, eye surgeries and training for health workers.

He added that the state Ministry of Health is partnering with the Jimmy Carter Foundation to conduct free hydrocele surgeries for patients across the state. So far, about 74 patients have been identified for the procedures, which began on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Aba General Hospital, Abia State Specialist Hospital in Umuahia and Nkporo Cottage Hospital.

Kanu also revealed that the state government has begun implementing the CONHESS salary scale for local government health workers and is making progress with its digital health programme.

In addition, construction work has commenced on the Ukwa East General Hospital, with the contractor given nine months to complete the project.

On public health concerns, the commissioner stated that there has been no recorded outbreak of Lassa fever in Abia State, adding that the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring border communities to ensure early detection and prevention.

The Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, was also present at the press briefing.