Otti Expands Healthcare, Orders Urgent Action on Abia Erosion Crisis

The Abia State Government says it is stepping up investments in healthcare while moving to tackle erosion threatening communities in parts of the state, as Governor Alex Otti’s administration continues to roll out reforms across key sectors.

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

 He said a recent annual review of the health sector showed that the government’s investments are beginning to yield results, with improvements recorded in access to healthcare, maternal health, hospital patronage and digital health services.

According to Kanu, the review also highlighted ongoing renovation of health facilities, stronger partnerships with development organisations and increased enrolment in the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme.

“The health sector continues to record measurable progress. We are seeing more functional health facilities, better services and growing public confidence in our healthcare system,” he said.

Kanu disclosed that 148 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been fully functionalised across the state, while three more will become operational this week. He added that another 135 PHCs have been completed and are undergoing assessment before they are equipped, staffed and opened to the public.

He explained that government considers a health facility fully functional only after it has been provided with the necessary medical equipment, healthcare personnel and other essential facilities required to deliver quality services.

Kanu also said the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme has continued to grow since its launch in 2025, with enrolment now exceeding 233,000 beneficiaries.

He noted that the government is working on measures that will enable more vulnerable residents to benefit from the scheme.

Kanu further announced that the Ministry of Health is partnering Google to strengthen digital healthcare delivery and improve access to technology-driven health services across the state.

He added that no cases of Ebola, Lassa fever, COVID-19, cholera, diphtheria, Mpox or yellow fever were recorded in Abia during the period under review.

Beyond healthcare, Kanu said Governor Otti has directed the Ministry of Environment to begin immediate intervention at erosion sites in Amamba-Uzuakoli, Bende Local Government Area, and Obakala in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

He said the Commissioner for Environment had already led a team of engineers to inspect the affected communities and assess the level of damage ahead of the commencement of remediation works.

“The Governor has directed that urgent intervention and mitigation measures be deployed to recover the affected areas and protect lives and property,” Kanu said.

He also disclosed that the state’s Climate Change Policy is awaiting the Governor’s approval. According to him, the policy will position Abia to access international climate financing while strengthening efforts to address flooding, erosion and other environmental challenges.

On environmental sanitation, Kanu said officials inspected more than 90,000 premises across the state’s 17 local government areas, issued thousands of abatement notices for environmental health violations and recorded improved compliance after follow-up inspections.

In the education sector, he said the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education recently organised a statewide workshop on examination ethics for principals, head teachers, proprietors of private schools and other stakeholders as part of efforts to curb examination malpractice.

He added that the 2026 Central Promotion Examination for Senior Secondary Two students was successfully conducted to ensure that only qualified candidates advance to SS3 in preparation for external examinations.

Kanu also said the government, through the AGILE Project and the Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, supported adult learners and inmates of correctional centres to participate in public examinations.

According to him, 34 inmates from correctional facilities in the state sat for this year’s examinations, reflecting the government’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for every resident, regardless of circumstance.

He further announced the successful maiden edition of the 2026 Abia Mathematics Kings and Queens Competition, organised in collaboration with the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja.

Nearly 600 students from public and private schools participated in the competition, which he described as part of efforts to encourage greater interest in mathematics among young learners.

The Commissioner also outlined a number of activities lined up for the week, including the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

He said Governor Otti would join members of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family and other prominent Nigerians for the event scheduled for July 29 in Umuahia.

Kanu further announced that Abia will host the South-East Regional Security Summit on July 30. The summit is expected to bring together governors of the five South-East states, security chiefs and other stakeholders to discuss collaborative strategies for strengthening security and regional stability.

He added that Governor Otti will, on July 31, formally hand over the newly completed Nigerian Air Force Forward Operational Base and residential complex in Umuahia to the Nigerian Air Force in the presence of the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Air Staff and other senior military officers.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, Commissioner For Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma were present at the briefing.