In a bid to strengthen the state’s security architecture, the Abia government has announced that it will formally launch its security initiative called the “Operation Crush Initiative” this week.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, stated this while briefing journalists late Monday evening on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting at Government House, Umuahia. He said that the government has been doing a lot in the area of security and added that the new initiative aims to curb insecurity in the state.
Prince Kanu also disclosed the upcoming “Lighting-up Abia Initiative,” which will involve the installation of solar-powered street lights on major streets in Aba, Umuahia, and other parts of the state. According to him, the project is already underway between Okigwe to Imo gate through the Enugu Port Harcourt expressway, with the goal of opening up Abia.
The Information Commissioner added that there would be a summit to focus on oil and gas in October this year, and he mentioned that a lot of attention is being focused on the state by investors.
Throwing more light on the “Light-up Abia Project Initiative,” the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said that the initiative is intended to showcase Abia and will be implemented in phases, starting with Umuahia, the state capital. He added that the initiative would restore nightlife in Umuahia and other cities and also help combat criminality in the state.
Speaking on the “Reclaim Our Schools Initiative” of the present administration, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, described the effort as a community-based initiative whereby the government would reconstruct and hand over selected public primary and secondary schools to communities for protection.
The Commissioner said the venture would involve stakeholders in the education sector, including financial organizations and individuals. She restated the government’s commitment to reclaiming all public school lands taken over by individuals in the past.
Professor Uche Eme, who appreciated proprietors of private schools for filling in the gap in the education sector, used the forum to call on private schools to open up their doors for the proposed reaccreditation exercise of the State government. She clarified that the exercise is not meant to witch-hunt any private school but rather to enhance the minimum standard in education.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment and Urban Renewal, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, disclosed that Abia would be hosting its first-ever Climate Change Summit in September this year. He expressed regret that past governments did not see the need to domesticate climate change policies for the safety of the environment. He urged Abia people and residents to collaborate with the Dr Alex Otti-led administration in the State to develop Abia.
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