Gov Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
Abia pushes for speedy take-off of Aba garment factory in December
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Abia Government has directed speedy procurement of equipment needed for the establishment of Abia State Automated Garment factory, Aba.
The State Executive Council which gave the directive during its meeting, also approved a relief fund of N150 million for traders relocated in Aba, called for speedy completion of the Ntigha dry port project and proposed the conversion of three existing tertiary institutions to universities.
These were part of the resolutions adopted by the State Executive Council as contained in the Minutes of the meeting made available to newsmen by the immediate past Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
The Council which equally approved the awards of contracts for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of several roads in Aba and Umuahia, met under the Chairmanship of the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Umuahia. The meeting preceded the swearing in of new Commissioners at the Dr. Michael Okpara Auditorium, same day.
The Exco noted that the Abia State Automated Garment Factory, Aba, was expected to take off in December with the prospects of providing more than 500 new jobs, and therefore, directed the expedition of procurement processes for its establishment.
The Exco approved N150m support to traders affected by the ongoing reconstruction of Ariaria International Market and Ahia Ohuru Market, both in Aba, and had to be relocated. The money would be disbursed through Abia Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Bank. The Council also approved expedition of work at Ntigha Dry Port and partnership with existing port concessionaire.
In the area of education, the Exco proposed the conversion of three state-owned tertiary institutions to universities, subject to the approval by the State House of Assembly; and approved the renaming of two secondary schools.
Schools affected by the proposed conversion to universities are Abia State Polytechnic to become Abia State University of Science and Technology, Aba; Abia State College of Education Arochukwu to become Abia State University of Education, Arochukwu and Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Studies to become Abia State University of Science and Management Studies, Aba; while two technical schools would be renamed as follows: Boys Technical College, Aba, now to be known as Government Technical College, Aba; and Secondary Technical College, Afara, would now be known as Government Technical College, Afara.
The Council also approved the bifurcation of Abia State Ministry of Education into Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of Post Basic Education; as well as special funding for Abia State Scholarship Board to enable it to deliver more foreign scholarships to desiring Abia students and to equally award local scholarships.
The Council approved modalities for payment of outstanding salaries owed Senior Secondary School teachers, ABSUTH and Abia Poly workers before the end of the year.
The Exco similarly approved the setting up of new ultra-modern diagnostic center for Abia North Zone and another one to be located at Aba General Hospital with Kidney and Heart center at the latter, in addition to a Poly Clinic, doctors quarters and new VVIP ward to boost health care delivery services in the state; as well as funding for fortifications, remodeling and completion of work at the Mother & Child Specialist Hospital, Umuahia.
The Minutes stated that Exco expressed satisfaction with the procurement of four new purpose built mobile clinics with facilities for child care, ultra sound and full theatre units.
Exco reviewed and approved further release of funds for the new Government House project in Umuahia to ensure realization as scheduled, awarded contract for upgrading of Umuahia Township Stadium and directed the expeditious completion of work at the new JAAC building in Umuahia.
It also approved valuation of outstanding work at Ohobo Afara Housing estate and private public partnership arrangement to complete and allocate the buildings to Abians and the rationalization and development of the land behind NTA Aba through public private partnership and relocation of street beggars to existing homes with skill acquisition and primary education facilities
