In its avowed commitment to have an independent, accessible and affordable power supply, the Abia State Government has sent to the House of Assembly for consideration the Abia State Electricity Bill.
The State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu who disclosed this while briefing the press in Government House Umuahia on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, said the State House of Assembly would on the 18th of this month conduct a public hearing on the executive bill.
Prince Kanu, while highlighting the importance of the bill, stressed the need for all stakeholders to participate in the public hearing.
He said that the “Light Up Abia Initiative” is still on, as Government has shifted its focus from major cities to rural areas including, Bende, Ugwunagbo and Osisioma LGAs.
The Commissioner announced that Governor Alex Otti has approved the reconstruction of the long abandoned iconic Omenuko bridge at Ozuabam in Arochukwu LGA, a bridge that links Abia North and Abia Central senatorial zones, noting that the bridge had remained a campaign tool in the hands of many politicians before now.
The information Commissioner who said that the flag off of the project would be announced soon maintained that repairing the bridge would be of great benefit for the people.
He said that the ground breaking ceremony of the Abia airport project will still take place on Tuesday, 17th at Ubaha Nsulu in Isialangwa North, describing the economic benefits of the project as enormous.
The Commissioner appreciated the recent primary health care 400 Dollar UNICEF prize won by Abia State and attributed the feat to the huge Investment of Governor Otti in the health sector and also announced that the state Ministry of Health would soon embark on free surgery for persons with hydrocele.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the state government to providing security especially this yuletide and said that there is need for the people to always give useful information to security agencies.
He announced that the Abia State Head of Service, Dr. Mrs Ngozi Queen Obioma would be retiring from service this December, pointing out that Governor Alex Otti had at the Executive Council meeting congratulated her on quality service delivered to the state and wished her well.
Speaking on the merits of the Abia State Electricity Bill, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday said that the law would act as a catalyst towards realizing the vision of Governor Alex Otti in providing access to electricity for all.
He noted that the Electricity Act passed into law in 2023 thereby giving states and sub nationals the framework and mandate to create their own electricity market.
Our Government House correspondent reports that the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha were present at the briefing.
