World Bank to assist Abia build 219 roads

*Sate embarks on making public schools fit for nurturing children

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

The World Bank would assist the Abia State government to construct 219 kilometres of roads to boost its road infrastructure.

This is as the state is kick-starting its “Reclaim our Schools Initiative” aimed at revitilalising public schools in partnership with strategic stakeholders in the education sector.

Abia State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, told newsmen at Government House, Umuahia, that the State Executive Council (EXCO) approved the projects during its meeting for the week.

Kanu said the World Bank-assisted 219 road projects which would be executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP),   were currently undergoing engineering designs and work would commence immediately the paper works on the technical details were completed.

However, he specifically mentioned the 19-kilometre road stretch that would be constructed to link several communities in the Ngwa axis of the state.

“There are a number of World Bank-assisted projects that the government is embarking upon. In particular, there is a 19-kilometre road – Itungwa-Mgboko-Amairii, Amaise-Ahiabaubi-Nkwonwaelechi Omoba Road that the World Bank is assisting the state government to construct. Also there are 200 roads that are under engineering designs,” Prince Kanu said.

The Commissioner also revealed that the state would collaborate with another global body, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which would provide the state with technical support for implementation of the Integrated National Financial Framework with focus on internally generated revenue, digital economy and investment reforms.

“The idea is to help put the state on a pedestal that will attract investors to the state,” the Commissioner said.

He attributed the ability of the state to secure the collaboration with the world bodies to the professional background and prowess of the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, in the financial sector.

“Of course, with the banking background of the Chief Executive of the state, with his very wide connection with the financial service sector, the state government has enhanced its relationship with various multilateral financial agencies as well as donor agencies,” he said, adding that discussions were going on for the international donor agencies to sponsor many other projects in the state.

The Commissioner highlighted that these road projects were in addition to the five already completed roads in Aba. He explained that new features, including installation of streetlights on these roads and water fountains at some junctions forced the postponement of the commissioning of the five completed roads September 6, 2023, adding that they would be inaugurated soon.

Another project on course, according to the Commissioner, is the Urban Renewal Initiatives of the state government which would focus on Aba and Umuahia, which entail construction of bus terminals, the creation of new junctions, and other infrastructure improvements, with the aim of enhancing the transport sector.

“There are some urban renewal initiatives that this state government has embarked upon and this urban renewal initiatives will focus, in the first instance, on Aba and Umuahia

“A particular set of the initiatives will involve the construction of a central bus terminal in Umuahia, in the first phase, construction of shelters and, of course, junction improvement works, among others. Some of the junctions you see in Umuahia today would not be there after the construction work we are going to embark upon

“The whole idea is to ensure that the transportation infrastructure in the state capital is improved upon. When those works are done with, big buses will ply our roads to improve our mass transportation system. In the weeks ahead and a few months ahead, these projects will be rolled out, “Kanu said.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the government has embarked on its ”Reclaim Our Schools Initiative” focused on the improvement of the learning environment and curriculum in public schools, adding that the government was willing to partner with interested individuals and organisations to achieve this goal.

“The Reclaim our Schools Initiative involves Old Boys Association, Old Girls Association and communities showing interest and taking over our schools. The important thing is that at the end of the day, we want to reform our public school system to make them more effective in nurturing our children. That initiative would be launched formally very soon,” the Commissioner explained.

Elaborating on the Reclaim Our Schools Initiative, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, stressed that the primary objective of the “Reclaim Our Schools Initiative” is to improve education in public schools and provide solutions peculiar to meet the unique needs of each school, to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.

Anosike encouraged alumni associations, interested groups, and communities to actively participate in devising strategies for transforming their respective schools, in line with the state’s education agenda and campaign promises of Governor Alex Otti.

On the issues of regarding pension arrears and salary payments for workers in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Prince Kanu restated the commitment of the Dr. Alex Otti-led administration to clear all arrears and urged civil servants to report any salary-related concerns to the newly established Desk at the Office of the Accountant-General for prompt resolution.

He said that the “Light Up Abia Initiative” in Aba and Umuahia was almost completed and would now be extended to the headquarters of each Local Government Area (LGA), public schools and places of public importance in each Local Government Area.