The Abia State government has purchased a few electric vehicles for its public transit system, according to Prince Okey Kanu, the state’s information commissioner.
According to Okey Kanu, who briefed reporters in Umuahia following the State Executive Council meeting, the vehicles are being manufactured in China and will be handed to the state in November 2025.
The commissioner claims that all the logistical support required for the scheme’s effective launch has been set up and that the bus routes have been laid out.
According to the state information chief, the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy will begin a creative talent program in 17 LGAs of the state on July 25, 2025, in keeping with the cultural revolution that the governor is advocating.
He said the program would promote youth inclusion and grassroots empowerment of the state’s youth population and that it aims to find artistic and other creative skills in the state’s 17 LGAs.
With the involvement and international exposure of Abia’s creative potential in accordance with the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti OFR, this program further highlights the state government’s dedication to cultural innovation, Prince Kanu said.
He disclosed that Abia State has initiated official procedures to designate Aba as a UNESCO Creative City, adding that a delegation will travel to Aba this week for preliminary evaluations of the city. The strategic move aims to raise Aba’s creative profile internationally while adhering to international standards.
Kanu stated that in response to the ongoing water crisis in Abia, state governor Dr. Alex Otti will officially launch the Aba Regional Water Scheme’s rehabilitation at CKC Aba on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. This is part of his campaign pledge to bring drinkable water back to Abians’ homes in the state’s cities and communities.
In addition, he stated that the governor will on Wednesday inaugurate the Integrated Wash Accelerator Programme (IWAP), an initiative aimed at reviving water sanitation and hygiene in the state and situated at the recently built Wash Facility at Okigwe Park in Umuahia.
Some of the events scheduled to be launched by Governor Otti have been postponed, the Abia commissioner noted, because of the federal government’s declaration of a national holiday in the wake of President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing.
He stated, “Aba and Umuahia will have three significant events on July 16, 2025.” The Aba Regional Water Scheme’s renovation will be inaugurated by His Excellency there in Aba.
Rehabilitating the scheme is necessary to restore its sustainability and performance due to inadequate operations and maintenance, as well as the failed infrastructure.
As part of the first phase of the project, the state government contracted with Vena Cava Limited to redesign the water scheme in accordance with the governor’s directive to supply Aba with drinkable water.
Earlier on the same Wednesday, July 16, 2025, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti will also introduce the Integrated Wash Accelerator Program (IWAP), which aims to restore the state’s water sanitation and hygiene.
The establishment’s goal is to supply the state with sustainable, easily accessible, and safe water sanitation services that meet present and future development requirements.
The Abia Integrated Wash Accelerator Program is in accordance with His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti’s directive to achieve Zero Defecation in Abia State, which is the sixth Sustainable Development Goal.
The effort will entail building, running, and maintaining state-of-the-art solar-powered water facilities, Prince Kanu said.
Regarding electricity, the commissioner revealed that Otti would put into service 430 kW of battery storage and 150 kV solar power. This project aims to reduce dependency on grid electricity, minimize diesel consumption, and promote sustainability by using solar energy to power state health facilities.
According to the Abia information chief, the recently established Abia State Security Trust Fund generated over N4.1 billion in revenue during its inauguration last week.
There are currently rural artworks being developed at FMC Umuahia, Osisioma junction (Flyover) in Aba, and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, among other places, in accordance with the government’s beautification and urban regeneration plans including designated public spaces and routes, he said.
Furthermore, he stated that direct level work is presently being done in 53 places throughout the state.
In his contribution, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, argued that the governor is committed to bringing pipe-borne water back to Abia state households.
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Three important water systems in Aba, including those in Ogbor Hill, CKC, and Ariaria, were mentioned by him as those scheduled for renovation.
He said, “We have begun contract awards.” The Aba Regional Water Scheme is the initial area of focus since it is composed of three water schemes that form and support the entire Aba network.
In the first phase, which involves redesigning the water plan to provide well-treated water that satisfies WHO requirements, we project that it will be finished in six months.
Additionally, we have already prepared the request for quotations for the second step, which is the reticulation. The distribution and testing of the transmission and water transmission lines in Aba will be part of that. Thus, we’ll approach them gradually.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuruibe, also spoke and said that his ministry is now painting murals as part of the state government’s beautification effort and would shortly be building monuments.
“We initiated an effort to beautify the states. You will observe a change if you are walking past FMC Gate and Osisioma Flyover. Additionally, we intend to explore the possibility of painting murals in several of these locations.
In addition, in order to make sure that we support our principal’s efforts, we will start erecting monuments in a few key states.
The official Creative Talent Hunt launch has also begun in all 17 LGAs. You understand my reference to skills. Talking about Nigerian talent today would be incomplete without bringing up Aba. Aba is a talented place. According to Ekwuruibe, it is the home of curatives.
