Rita Odafe
Gov Alex Otti
The Abia State government has announced a delay in the start of the new school term for all public and private institutions, pushing the date to the 2024/2025 academic session.
Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, communicated this change during a press conference following the recent Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, attributing the rescheduling to a Muslim holiday.
Schools will now reopen on Wednesday, September 23, instead of the initially planned date of Monday, September 16.
Additionally, Kanu shared that a new training session for teachers will take place from September 11 to September 20, targeting 1800 educators across three training locations: Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia.
This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the education sector. The commissioner noted that over 200 teachers participated in the first training batch, which is a requirement for the school reopening process.
Kanu also revealed that a 90-day grace period has been provided for property owners in Aba to register unregistered land at previous rates, reflecting the administration’s commitment to supportive governance.
He emphasized the governor’s considerate approach, stating, “If they have to pay for it at the new rate, they would complain, but the governor had directed that they pay at the old rate as a way of encouraging them to go ahead and obtain the certificates.”
Mr. Uche Ukaeje, Director General of the Greater Aba Development Authority, remarked that while property owners who built without permits usually face penalties, the governor’s decision was a leniency allowing them to only pay old fees within the allotted time, akin to a holiday gift.
Furthermore, Kanu noted that Abia State has been selected as one of six regions to represent Nigeria at an international medical symposium in Ghana, a recognition attributed to ongoing improvements in the state’s health system through the HOPE initiative, a partnership with the World Bank.
He updated that under the “Light Up Abia Initiative,” 4,346 solar lights have been installed in 86 locations to enhance community comfort and safety across the state, with plans for further expansion.
The Abia Electricity Bill has also passed its second reading at the State House of Assembly, with an expectation for quick approval after the members return from recess, which will bolster ongoing reforms in the state’s electricity sector.
Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, an engineer, described the Electricity Bill as a transformative step for the state’s power infrastructure, aiming to establish regulatory agencies and allow the government to manage power resources effectively.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, reiterated the administration’s commitment to progress and development for Abia State.
