Abia Govt to unveil Citizens’ Engagement Centre in Umuahia

The Abia State Government has disclosed that the Citizens’ Engagement Centre, being put in place by the present administration is ready for commissioning.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this on Tuesday at Government House Umuahia while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

The centre is a robust, technology-enabled platform designed to facilitate real-time engagement between government and the public.

According to Prince Kanu, the centre would aggregate inquiries, complaints, suggestions, and feedback from citizens and channel them to the appropriate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for prompt resolution, particularly on matters of public interest.” Prince Kanu stated.

Kanu further disclosed that in addition to enhanced service delivery, the Centre will serve as a valuable data collection and processing hub to support evidence-based policymaking, programme evaluation, and feedback management across government institutions.

He highlighted the plan of the State Government to update residents on its strategic partnership with MTN Nigeria aimed at achieving 100 percent voice and data network coverage across the state.

The first phase of the project, which targets 100 percent coverage, is expected to be completed within the next eight to ten weeks.

“Upon completion, the project will significantly enhance social and financial .inclusion, improve access to healthcare and education, and strengthen security across the state.”

Residents in even the most remote communities, from one end of the state to the other, will have access to reliable MTN broadband services.

Prince kanu informed that the state government, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, will host the Canvas, Culture and Arts Festival 2026 with the theme “Defining Us.”

He disclosed that the event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, 25 June 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium by 10.00am, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, Deputy Governor of the State, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour.

The festival will feature art exhibitions, cultural displays, creative engagements, networking opportunities, and inspiring interactions with emerging and established artists.

The programme is expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage and creative talents of the people of the state.

Contributing, the Chief Information Officer to the Governor, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe said that the government is partnering MTN to achieve network densification in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

He added that the partnership would provide access to network coverage.

He emphasised that the initiative is not designed as a physical work-in facility but as a contact centre that enables citizens to engage with government through multiple digital and communication channels.

He said that citizens will be able to access government services, lodge complaints, make inquiries, provide feedback, and receive responses without having to travel to a physical location.

“Communication channels will include telephone calls, emails, WhatsApp, and other digital platforms.”

He noted that the centre is designed to function in the same manner as modern customer service platforms operated by banks, telecommunications companies, and airlines, where customers interact remotely rather than through physical contact.