The Abia State Government says the free education programme introduced by the administration of Governor Alex Otti for pupils in public primary and junior secondary schools is already yielding positive results.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.
Kanu said data recently collected by the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) revealed that enrolment in public schools across the state had increased by more than 100 per cent between July and October.
He described the development as a clear indication of growing public confidence in the government’s education reforms.
“The reforms include the recruitment of 5,394 teachers in the first phase and another 4,000 in the next phase,” he said. “Government has also ensured prompt payment of salaries, provided incentives for teachers in hard-to-reach areas, increased the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years, and improved training and learning environments.”
The commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the gains recorded in the education sector, stressing that the reforms were aimed at restoring the standard and quality of public education in Abia.
Kanu also announced that Governor Otti would, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, inaugurate the newly completed Umuene Court Building Complex in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
He said the project was part of the administration’s ongoing justice sector reforms, which include the construction of 17 new courthouses across the state — one in each local government area.
“The Umuene Courthouse represents the first of the 17 new judicial complexes. These state-of-the-art facilities will promote efficiency, improve access to justice, and strengthen the judiciary as a pillar of democracy,” he said.
The commissioner further disclosed that in November, the governor would launch the Contributory Pension Scheme for Abia workers, marking a new phase in civil service reforms and efforts to enhance workers’ welfare.
“Since inception, this administration has cleared outstanding pension arrears owed by previous governments. A committee is currently finalising arrangements for payment of gratuities,” Kanu said, adding that with the new pension scheme, issues of delayed or unpaid pensions would become a thing of the past.
He also reaffirmed that under the present administration, workers’ salaries and pensions are paid promptly on the 28th of every month.
On road safety, Kanu cautioned motorists to obey traffic regulations, especially as the year draws to a close.
He said the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), had launched a new campaign tagged “Road Safety is a Shared Responsibility — A Drive to Arrive.”
According to him, the campaign aims to curb dangerous practices such as driving against traffic and lane violations, particularly in Aba and Umuahia.
“No one, no matter how highly placed, will be spared if found flouting traffic regulations. Even the governor’s convoy obeys traffic rules,” Kanu stated.
He urged residents to cooperate with government agencies to ensure safer roads across the state.
