Abia to convert defunct hotel, civil service commission premises into housing estate

By Peter Okore, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has announced plans to convert the premises of the defunct Abia Hotels Limited along St. Finbarr’s Road and the old Civil Service Commission headquarters in Umuahia into a housing estate under its Pocket Layout Industrial Estate initiative.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Umuahia.

Kanu said the project is aimed at providing functional, affordable and accessible housing for residents of the state, adding that demolition of existing structures on the sites has already commenced to pave the way for construction.

He explained that the procurement process for the project had reached an advanced stage, with bids from prospective contractors already opened.

“The Pocket Layout Industrial Estate project is due for flag-off. With the opening of bids from prospective contractors for the project, a comprehensive list of successful contractors will be published within the next one week or less,” Kanu said.

The commissioner also announced plans by the state government to reposition the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and Enyimba Garment Factory, noting that both firms have resumed production after years of inactivity.

According to him, the administration of Governor Alex Otti appointed Ms Nena Kalu Ogba as Managing Director of the two companies in 2025 to oversee their revival and transformation.

He said the move aligns with the administration’s industrialisation agenda and commitment to job creation and sustainable economic growth.

“To date, they have been able to establish five production lines for both factories.

“The new management is also developing new product lines capable of competing in international markets,” Kanu stated.

Ms. Nenna Kalu Ogba

Speaking on the progress made, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Enyimba Automated Shoe Company Limited and Enyimba Garment Factory Limited, Ms Nena Kalu Ogba, said the state government had invested heavily in modern production and finishing equipment to enable the companies compete globally.

“We have purchased new finishing machines so that we can compete favourably with global products. We now have all the required machines.

“The Governor has been gracious enough to provide the funds needed to acquire new machinery,” she said.

Ogba noted that the intervention was designed to reverse the long-held perception that Aba-made products are inferior, adding that the factories had been rehabilitated into conducive production environments while workers now enjoy regular salary payments.

She expressed confidence that the facilities were well positioned to produce high-quality footwear and garments that meet international standards.

Meanwhile, the state government has highlighted the unique features of the recently commissioned Smart School at Ogbo Central School, Ubakala, describing it as a flagship project of the Otti administration.

Responding to questions from journalists, Kanu said the school was established to prepare Abia children for a technology-driven future.

“The Smart School is a flagship project of government. The school runs a smart infrastructure learning management system and school management software. It also has a library, teacher resource centre and staff support offices.

“The facility is powered by a solar energy system with dedicated lighting and water management infrastructure.

“All pupils from Primary One to Primary Six have their individual computer tablets, which they will use throughout their stay in the school,” he said.

Kanu also revealed that Governor Otti had directed the Commissioner for Works to provide immediate intervention on the Ogbor Hill–Ovom Road leading to the Ovom Mechanic Village to address perennial flooding in the area.

Although the road is a federal road, he said the governor decided to intervene because it is heavily used by residents and businesses.

Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu

Responding to concerns over alleged favouritism in the admission process into the newly commissioned Smart School, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, dismissed the claims as unfounded.

He maintained that admission into the school is open to all qualified pupils.

Nwosu also clarified that work on the Smart School project at School Road Primary School in Umuahia had not been abandoned.

According to him, the project was redesigned and expanded to accommodate at least 1,000 pupils, up from the initial capacity of 300, due to growing demand.

“Because of the strategic location of that school and the data available to us, we realised that the level of interest from parents was much higher than initially anticipated.

“We therefore had to redesign the project to accommodate the growing population in that area.

“What we originally planned was adjusted to enable the school accommodate a minimum of about 1,000 pupils,” he said.

Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, described allegations of favouritism in admissions as false and baseless.

“I can tell you that the allegation is false, baseless and unfounded.

“If there is one sector where this administration has deliberately restored sanity, it is education.

“You are all aware that practices such as the so-called ‘Governor’s List’ no longer exist. There is no Governor’s List for admission into law school, medical school or any other institution.

“If we have eliminated such practices in specialised institutions, there is no reason to introduce them in our Smart Schools,” Ekeoma said.