Abia Govt Boosts Health Sector, Housing, Urban Renewal in Umuahia

The Abia State Government has announced the employment of 649 medical personnel out of the 771 approved for recruitment into the state health sector.

This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing in Umuahia. He said that 432 of the newly employed workers are nurses, who have already been deployed to primary healthcare centres across the state, many of which are now fully equipped and operational.

According to the Commissioner, some of the recruited health workers had opportunities to work abroad but chose to remain in Abia State, citing their confidence in the leadership of Governor Alex Otti and the ongoing reforms in the state’s health sector.

Prince Kanu also announced that, in line with the governor’s vision to improve the welfare of Abia citizens, particularly in housing, the State Ministry of Housing will soon flag off the construction of a Civil Service Commission and Pocking Layout Housing Estate in Umuahia.

He explained that the housing project is aimed at providing quality and affordable accommodation for residents of the state, adding that the State Executive Council has granted approval for the Ministry to commence construction at the site.

On urban renewal efforts, the Commissioner said residents of Umuahia had been given ample time to remove shanties and illegal building projections within the city. He noted that the grace period had expired and that the Abia State Government, through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), would begin full enforcement.

He warned that landlords who fail to comply would face legal consequences.

Prince Kanu further announced that illegal parking of commercial vehicles on city roads has been banned, following the government’s observation of indiscriminate parking by commercial bus operators in Umuahia. He said defaulters risk having their vehicles impounded.

Addressing the issue of building maintenance, the Commissioner expressed concern that many landlords have neglected routine fence-lift and general building maintenance, thereby diminishing the aesthetic outlook of the state capital.

He said such neglect undermines the government’s efforts to transform Umuahia into a befitting capital city and disclosed that the state government, through the UCDA, has directed affected landlords to carry out necessary maintenance within four weeks from the date of the announcement.