Abia to flag off Pocket Layout Industrial Estate housing project, revives Enyimba factories

The Abia State Government has announced plans to commence the Pocket Layout Industrial Estate Project, a housing initiative aimed at providing affordable homes for residents, as part of efforts to expand infrastructure and improve living standards across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the procurement process for the project had reached an advanced stage, with bids from prospective contractors already opened.

According to him, successful bidders will be announced within the next one week, after which project execution will begin ahead of the official flag-off ceremony.

He explained that the project would be developed at two locations  – the Old Civil Service Commission area and the former Abia Hotels site.

“The Old Civil Service Commission area has been fully cleared, parcelled and is ready for allocation to contractors, while work is progressing steadily at the former Abia Hotels site, which is expected to be ready for parcelation and allocation within the next two weeks,” Kanu said.

The commissioner also announced the revival of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and Enyimba Garments Factory in Aba, stating that both facilities have returned to full production after years of inactivity.

He attributed the development to reforms introduced by the Otti administration and the appointment of a new management team in 2025.

According to Kanu, the factories now operate five production lines each and have acquired modern manufacturing and finishing equipment to boost output and competitiveness.

“The factories are developing new product brands capable of competing in international markets, while workers now enjoy improved welfare through regular salary payments,” he said.

He added that the facilities have been transformed into modern production centres capable of producing footwear and garments that meet global quality standards.

On infrastructure, Kanu said Governor Otti had directed the immediate repair of the flood-prone section of the Ogbor Hill–Azumini Road near Ovom to ease transportation challenges during the rainy season.

Although the road is under federal jurisdiction, he noted that the state government decided to intervene because of its strategic importance to residents and businesses.

“The current intervention is a temporary relief measure to make the road motorable during the rainy season while engagements continue with the Federal Government towards achieving a permanent solution,” he explained.

The commissioner also clarified issues surrounding the recently commissioned Ogbo Central Smart School, describing it as a fully functional public primary school transformed into a technology-driven learning environment.

He said the school currently accommodates about 390 pupils, each of whom has been provided with a personal learning tablet.

Kanu said the facility is equipped with Information and Communication Technology laboratories, a modern library, teachers’ resource centre, administrative offices, smart learning systems, off-grid solar power, disability-friendly infrastructure, fire safety systems, a sick bay and comprehensive security architecture.

He reiterated that education in all Abia Smart Schools remains free and dismissed claims that admission is restricted to children of government officials or privileged families.

“Admissions into Abia Smart Schools are strictly transparent and merit-based. Claims suggesting that admission is reserved for children of government officials or privileged families are entirely false,” he said.

Kanu further disclosed that expansion works are ongoing at the School Road Primary School Smart School to increase its capacity from 300 to 1,000 pupils in response to rising enrolment.

He explained that Smart Boards and other learning facilities were temporarily removed to facilitate construction and would be reinstalled once the work is completed.

The commissioner added that several other Smart Schools across the state are nearing completion and would be commissioned before the commencement of the new academic session in September.

He said the various initiatives underscore the Otti administration’s commitment to industrialisation, job creation, quality education, infrastructure development and inclusive economic growth in Abia State.