Abia intensifies digital technology capacity building for youths

The Abia State Government has intensified efforts to empower young people through digital technology training, announcing plans to launch the third cohort of its Techrise Youth Empowerment Programme.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this at the Government House in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said about 1,350 youths have so far been trained under Cohorts 1 and 2 of the Abia Techrise programme, noting that many of the beneficiaries are now employed in different organisations while others have started their own businesses.

According to him, a registration portal will soon be opened for interested participants, while the official date and other details of the programme will be announced in due course.

The commissioner also spoke on the state’s mass transit and urban transportation initiative, code-named the “Green Shuttle”, which transitioned into a commercial fare-paying service on March 1, 2026.

He revealed that the state government has introduced a 50 per cent fare subsidy for commuters using the service.

“So far, a total of 202,601 passengers have benefited from the mass transit bus service from its rollout on December 24, 2025, to March 8, 2026,” Kanu said.

He explained that the subsidy covers all inter-city and intra-city routes currently operated under the scheme, describing the commercialisation of the service as a step toward ensuring its long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

Kanu added that with the introduction of e-ticketing under the Abia Connect Card system, obtaining the Abia State Social Insurance Number (ABSSIN) has become a prerequisite for accessing the card.

He further noted that the Abia State Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with agencies such as the Harmonised Task Force, Homeland Security and the Abia State Road Traffic Management Agency, has been carrying out joint sensitisation and enforcement exercises across the state’s transport network.

To assist commuters, ABSSIN enumerators have been deployed to various bus shelters and designated locations to facilitate registration, while agents responsible for loading funds onto Abia Connect Cards have also been stationed at key bus stops in Aba and Umuahia.

Kanu disclosed that a total of 70 bus shelters have been constructed under the scheme, with 30 located in Umuahia and 40 in Aba. While all the shelters in Umuahia are operational, 38 in Aba are currently in use, with two expected to commence operations soon.

On road infrastructure, the commissioner said the 22.5-kilometre final stretch of the Uzuakoli–Akara–Ohafia road project has been completed, while construction work is ongoing at 31 locations across the state.

He also revealed that direct labour road projects are ongoing in 49 locations statewide, noting that one project has been completed while four new projects have been added to the maintenance schedule of the Abia State Ministry of Works.

The completed project is the reconstruction of the 1.25-kilometre Madonna Hospital Road off Aba Road in Umuahia.

The newly added projects include the construction of a one-kilometre Okporoenyi–Isiegbu Road in Bende, the 4.71-kilometre Akara–Ovim Road in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, maintenance of failed sections of the 8.6-kilometre Obinulo–Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwoagu–Isochi road in Umunneochi LGA, and maintenance work on sections of the 5.2-kilometre Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwoagu–Mbala–Isuochi road.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, noted that the new transport service is currently in its pilot phase and would continue to improve over time.

They explained that the initiative was introduced to reduce the high cost of transportation and curb the exploitation of commuters and traders by commercial vehicle operators.

According to them, the new transport system is also aimed at reducing extortion by commercial drivers and tricycle operators while making the state’s economy more accessible for residents.