Abia State Government says it has paid N3.5 billion as counterpart fund for the upgrade of rural roads and building of agro logistics hubs in about 10 LGAS of the state.
The fund, the Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, stated that the project is under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programmes (RAMP).
Disclosing this in Umuahia during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting, Kanu asserted that the projects are expected to commence across the benefitting LGAs soon.
He explained further, “So the state has paid its own counterpart funds and we expect that with a similar action from the World Bank, that, that project will kick off around the state,”
The information commissioner observed that, in line with the announcement made by the governor during the interdenominational thanksgiving service on project commissioning, the government would today (Tuesday) commission one out of the 20 Smart Schools project already completed in Umuahia.
He used the forum to announce that the governor during a joint anniversary meeting between State Executive Council and legislative arms signed into Law 18 Executive Bills recently passed by the 8th Abia State House of Assembly.
According to him, the newly signed 18 Bills bring to 30, the number of Executive Bills introduced and signed into Law by the present administration.
“This landmark achievement seeks to institutionalize the reforms and transformations that have so far taken place in Abia State”, he added.
Kanu asserted that the two years of governance in the state has been eventful and full of monumental achievements “as can be felt and touched by all and sundry”, emphasizing that “greater strides are ahead”.
The commissioner opined that in the light of the second anniversary celebrations, more activities have been lined up for the rest of the week and that they will be holding in the next couple of days starting from today, Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
According to him, the remaining activities for the 2nd year-anniversary of the government will include: Children’s Day celebration on Tuesday 27th and the visit of the Abia First Lady to destitute and orphanages homes in the state.
He revealed that former Minister of Finance, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu will on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 deliver a public lecture on democracy in Umuahia amongst other events.
Contributing, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna stated that the Laws signed would transform the landscape of governance in the state, adding that they underscore government’s commitment to institutionalizing the reforms and changes being brought into governance.
“However, it’s important to note that these Bills underscore His Excellency’s commitment to institutionalizing the reforms and changes that he’s bringing together in governance in the state.
“These bills also form the fulcrum, the engine block for all the roads that you see, for the infrastructural development that is going on across the state, for the massive reforms that are being carried all around the state.
“So that underscores the importance of these Bills that have now been passed into law,” he declared.
He contended that with the 18 Laws, some agencies have been moved from reporting directly to the office of the governor to their line ministries for optimal performance.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social protection, Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix said Governor Otti has through the payment of various counterpart funds, demonstrated commitment to the development of rural communities through investing in long term solutions.
“Recently, His Excellency has demonstrated once again his commitment to the development of our rural communities by investing in long-term solutions as regards road infrastructure under the Abia States Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project.
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