Abia Govt Unveils Major Health, Innovation and Infrastructure Drive for Otti’s Third Anniversary  

The Abia State Government has announced a sweeping package of healthcare, technology, infrastructure and public safety initiatives ahead of Governor Alex Otti’s third anniversary, highlighting what officials described as a renewed push for sustainable development across the state.

The Commissioner for information Prince Okey Kanu stated this on Monday, at Government House Umuahia, during a briefing session with newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.

Abia State Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu, flanked by health Commissioner, Prof. Enoch Uche, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ferdinand Ekeoma and Chief Press Secretary to the governor Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.

Kanu said the administration had established a biomedical engineering unit under the Ministry of Health to ensure proper installation, maintenance and repair of medical equipment in government-owned hospitals.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at reducing equipment downtime and sustaining ongoing healthcare reforms across the state.

“The State Ministry of Health established a biomedical unit to ensure that equipment installed in state government-owned hospitals are properly maintained and repaired whenever the need arises,” Kanu stated.

He disclosed that a hands-on training programme for biomedical engineers and ministry personnel was currently ongoing in partnership with Mesa-USA and CPRUSA Engineers.

The training programme, which began on May 12, 2026, is expected to conclude on May 22, 2026.

Kanu further revealed that the National Malaria Elimination Programme commended Abia State for reducing malaria prevalence from 16.5 per cent in 2024 to 11.5 per cent in 2025.

“The team congratulated Abia State for the reduction in prevalence of malaria in the state from 16.5 per cent in 2024 to 11.5 per cent in 2025,” he said.

He added that plans were underway for the distribution of three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets across the state in September 2026.

As part of activities lined up for the administration’s third anniversary, Kanu announced that Governor Otti would commission the Obingwa General Hospital and Arochukwu General Hospital Phase One, alongside 15 newly equipped Primary Healthcare Centres.

The government also confirmed the expansion of the Digital Health Project, with four additional Primary Healthcare Centres set to be integrated into the programme.

On public health concerns, Kanu assured residents that there was no confirmed case of Ebola, COVID-19, Lassa fever, cholera or any other disease of public concern in Abia State.

This follows recent advisories issued by the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control over Ebola outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.

“There is no cause for alarm, as there is no case of Ebola in the state or in Nigeria,” he said

Kanu advised residents to maintain proper hygiene and seek medical attention whenever necessary.

In the area of science and technology, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation announced plans to organise a five-day STEM Week programme targeted at secondary school students across about 30 schools in the state.

The programme is expected to showcase educational technology solutions while launching a STEM learning platform and Girls in ICT clubs.

Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu, said the ministry had also deployed a pilot biogas project at a secondary school in Owerinta to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy generated from organic waste.

“If it is successful and if the feedback from the school is positive, then we will look at rolling it out across other schools as well,” Kalu said.

He also disclosed that the state had secured approval to establish a committee under the federal government’s Energise Commercialisation Now (ECON) initiative aimed at promoting innovation, research and commercialisation of viable projects.

According to him, the committee would include representatives from government, academia and industry to drive research collaboration and attract commercial investment into innovation-driven projects.

“We want to also use the same committee to help us develop a research and innovation policy for the state,” he added.

Speaking on the healthcare reforms, Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya described the biomedical initiative as a strategic intervention designed to sustain quality healthcare delivery.

“We don’t just want to equip hospitals and then allow the equipment to dysfunction. This initiative is aimed at reducing or eliminating downtime,” he explained.

He noted that the government was partnering with MedShare, a United States-based organisation, to train biomedical technicians and strengthen institutional capacity for long-term maintenance of medical equipment.

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma warned motorists against traffic violations, particularly driving against traffic and ignoring traffic lights.

“The government will take a very strong stance against those who drive against traffic and those who ignore traffic lights,” he warned.

He urged residents to comply with traffic regulations to ensure safety and orderliness across the state.

The government further announced that more than 25 road and infrastructure projects would be commissioned during the anniversary celebrations.

Political appointees, councillors and local government officials were also directed to take ownership of projects and sanitation efforts within their communities to ensure improved maintenance of public infrastructure and environmental cleanliness across the state.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha was present at the briefing.