President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to visit Abia State before May 29 to commission the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt Road in Aba and officially launch the $1.3 billion Abia Medical City project.
Governor Alex Otti announced this during a media briefing in Umuahia, revealing that the 6.5km road, handled by Julius Berger, is complete and will be handed over to the State Ministry of Works soon. He described the upcoming medical city as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at curbing medical tourism and positioning Abia as a leading healthcare destination in West Africa, with a projected annual revenue of $200 million.
Otti also highlighted strides in the health sector, including the renovation of 103 out of 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), with plans to revitalize all 900 across the state. The World Bank is backing an additional 68 PHC renovations. To address workforce shortages, the government has approved the recruitment and remuneration of new health professionals.
In education, Governor Otti noted a rise in school enrollment to 700,000 pupils, attributed to the state’s free and compulsory basic education policy. An additional 4,000 teachers are being recruited to join the 5,000 already in the hiring process, with a strong focus on STEM subjects.
Addressing concerns over alleged unpaid pensions at Abia State University (ABSU), Otti ordered an investigation and announced that a new 5,000-bed hostel will be completed in three months.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to healthcare, infrastructure, and education, thanking Abians for their support and promising more developmental progress.
