Abia employs 649 medical personnel, plans housing estates across state

The Abia State Government has employed 649 new medical personnel into the state’s health sector, out of the projected 771 workers required to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held this week and chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said that out of the newly employed personnel, 432 are nurses who have been deployed to various functional primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state. He added that the government would continue recruitment to cover the shortfall of 122 medical personnel.

According to him, the recruitment drive is part of the administration’s efforts to reposition the health sector for improved service delivery.

Among the new recruits, Kanu revealed, is a neurosurgeon who previously worked in New York, United States, but chose to return to Nigeria to serve in Abia State.

“Among the newly recruited medical personnel are professionals who had opportunities to work overseas but chose to return home because of the confidence they have in the leadership style of the governor and the reforms ongoing in the health sector,” Kanu said.

“The neurosurgeon is an expert in his field with a very rare speciality in medical practice.”

Kanu also disclosed that Governor Otti was recently rated the best-performing governor in the South-East by the Forum of Academic Doctors, citing the administration’s reforms and infrastructural transformation across various sectors.

“The state government does not lobby for or participate in these awards. Rather, Nigerians are observing what is happening in Abia and various groups are looking up to the state for leadership,” he added.

Housing development plans

On housing, Kanu said the State Executive Council approved the construction of housing estates across Abia for civil servants and members of the public.

He disclosed that the Ministry of Housing would soon flag off the construction of the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia, following agreements reached with private developers.

According to him, the housing projects will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in line with Governor Otti’s vision of improving the welfare of Abians.

“In line with the governor’s vision to provide quality and affordable housing, the Ministry of Housing will soon commence construction of the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate in Umuahia,” Kanu said.

He added that discussions were at an advanced stage with private developers for additional housing estates at Mbaise and Mgbarakuma–Ubakala, noting that agreements would soon be signed to enable developers move to site without delay.

Electricity sector regulation

Kanu also said the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) would, before the end of January, issue an order to regularise all electricity activities in the state.

He explained that the development followed the final transfer of regulatory authority from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ASERA.

“As the statutory regulator of electricity activities in Abia State, ASERA will ensure quicker resolution of consumer complaints, stronger consumer protection, improved service delivery and a fair balance between operators and consumers,” he said.

Housing commissioner speaks

Contributing, the Commissioner for Housing, Architect Chiemela Uzoije, explained that the Civil Service Commission Pocket Layout Estate was named after the former location of the Civil Service Commission.

He said the estate would be affordable and open to all residents, not just civil servants.

“It is not only for civil servants. It is for the generality of Abians, including civil servants,” Uzoije said.

He disclosed that the estate would feature a mix of semi-detached and standard duplexes targeted at middle-income earners and a segment of high-income residents.

According to him, the government had already signed agreements with a developer currently working at Obehie in Ukwa West under a site-and-services PPP model.

“The developer will service the estate in collaboration with the state government, after which the plots will be allocated to individuals to build,” he explained.

Uzoije added that similar PPP arrangements would be replicated at Mgbarakuma and parts of Ubakala, stressing that the projects would create jobs and have significant multiplier effects on the local economy.

“The government will be actively involved in the management of these estates to ensure timely delivery and quality outcomes,” he said.