FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Government says it will soon flag off the construction of the Abia Medical City project, a project designed to reverse medical tourism.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu stated this while briefing the press.
He said that the project when fully realized would equally make Abia a destination point for all medical cases within Nigeria and Sub- Saharan Africa.
Prince Kanu explained that, “Abia Medical City is a signature project of the state government. It is a project that is designed to enhance medical tourism. A project that would direct tourism to the state in terms of medical services.
“A situation whereby rather than go outside the country to go and seek medical attention, Abia citizens , Nigerians and indeed Africa would want to come to Abia state on medical tourism once that project is completed,” Prince Kanu stated.
He noted that there is a whole lot of attention in the health sector in Abia state because governance is about the people and “health they say is wealth” Prince Kanu stated.
The Information boss disclosed that the Abia state government is billed to enhance the state government’s oil production capacity.
He said that the state government in order to give vent to this has established an SPV with 40 per cent equity, and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) would hold 25 percent while the balance of 35 per cent would be taken up by private investors.
According to the Commissioner, “This move would help the state government to activate its capped Wells which is put at slightly above a 100 capped wells.
“And when fully operational this would enable the state government to produce both gas and oil which of course, would support the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) project,” Prince Kanu stated.
He further said that the Modular Refinery Project being constructed at the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park is very much on course. He informed that, “The company behind the project, HSI Engineering is committed to birthing that project before the end of this year.
“They have made some progress in that regard . They have recorded some very impressive milestones that speaks to their intention to commence full refining business before the end of this year,” Prince Kanu stated.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonna said that government wants to take advantage of that rich source of oil in the state to develop the state’s economy.
He informed that government has commenced compensation for the land it acquired in Owaza, Ukwa West for the Abia State Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP).
According to Prof. Ogbonna, “As soon as we came on board, government acquired 1,933 hectares of land in Owaza for Abia State Industrial Innovation Park.
“That’s where we have the oil and gas. We want to take advantage of that source to be able to develop fertilizer companies, petrochemical, modular refineries and sub sectors.
“In Dr. Otti’s usual way of doing things, we needed to make sure we pay the compensation which may be delayed whatever we wanted to do. So we went ahead and did the enumeration, a sensitisation programme and by 31st of December (2024) we commenced the payment of compensation.
“So, we are now ready for real business and that’s why you heard that the company that wants to establish a modular refinery has made appreciable progress in that regard ,Prof. Ogbonna stated.
On education, the Commissioner for Information reiterated that the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has announced the massive recruitment of teachers for the basic and post basic schools in Abia state.
He said that as part of the massive employment, arrangements have been concluded to employ 2,500 teachers across the state to fill vacancies already existing in the school system.
“The State Government has also concluded plans for massive employment of teachers in the state for both primary and secondary schools.
This of course is another pointer to how important this sector is to the governor,” Prince Kanu stated.
Prince Kanu equally announced that government has commenced the full implementation of the out of school children policy informing that school marshals have been appointed to work with the harmonized taskforce in the state to achieve the objective of government in that regard.
He noted that having commenced compulsory free education for pupils and students of basic education, there was need to ensure the out of school children policy is made effective.
The information Commissioner also announced that government has introduced mathematics clinics for students in examination classes of JSS 3 and SS3 which will hold Tuesday and Thursday of every week between the hours of 7-7:45.00 am to fully realize the STEM policy of the present administration.
“The Abia state Ministry of Basic Education has fully commenced with the enforcement of Our of School Children Policy initiative with the appointment of Education Marshalls.
“Also to strengthen its programme for our schools the state government has introduced a Mathematics Clinic that would run from Tuesdays through Thursdays to enhance the teaching of Mathematics.
“Mathematics we know is very basic to the realisation of the STEM subjects. STEM subjects involve Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics and Mathematics is the bedrock for the development of science and technology, ” Prince Kanu maintained.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi stressed the essence of quality education and said that it cannot be achieved without teachers.
“There is no way we can talk about quality education without teachers. In our schools we don’t have sufficient number of teachers to handle most of the subjects.
“Before now, there has been speculations all over the place about employment of teachers. It is now, within the week we are going to make public the modalities. It is not going to be a process where you bring your application to the Ministry or to whoever. We are going to have a platform where we do it online.
According to Elder Ubochi, enforcement of the free and compulsory basic education policy of the state government is essential as education is pertinent to Dr. Alex Otti led administration.
“To make this work, the Ministry established what we called ‘Education Marshalls’. They will work like taskforce but not in the same modality.
“The essence of setting up this group is to move around during school hours, any child that is of school age seen around will be picked up, not to be beaten or embarrassed but be taken to the school nearest to him or her.
“But before he or she is taken to the school, we will use the child to locate the parents or guardians or whoever has been keeping the child and we will be able to find out why he is holding back the child from going to school,” Ubochi clarified.
He equally explained that the reason for the STEMS education programme is that government wants to build confidence of the external examination or certificate class students of JSS 3 and SS 3. He said they would be resuming classes from 7,00 am before the normal school period commences and that they would be learning Mathematics from seasoned teachers in the morning and extension of closure time from 2pm to 4pm for other science subjects such as Biology, Physics, Chemistry and English.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chief Ukoha Njoku Ukoha were present at the briefing.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, FIC Umuahia,
Abia State .
