Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says his administration remains committed to making all 948 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state fully functional, with emphasis on quality standards and sustainability.
Otti made the pledge on Friday night during a monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House, Umuahia.
He said that although 200 PHCs had been completed, they would not be inaugurated until they are properly equipped and adequately staffed.
He explained that the focus is not only on infrastructure but also on delivering functional health services to residents.
“In the area of healthcare, we continue to functionalise the primary healthcare centres.
“The 200 we have completed are being carefully assessed to ensure minimum standards are met.
“A centre may be ready, but it will only be inaugurated when we have the required equipment and healthcare professionals,” he said.
Otti said the state government had approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals but noted that only 569 could be engaged due to manpower constraints.
“This means we are not yet able to meet the needs of all the primary healthcare centres we have completed,” he said.
He added that the recruitment portal remains open to attract more qualified personnel.
“We have asked those interested to continue to apply until we reach the required number,” he said.
The governor also announced the commencement of Phase II of the PHC upgrade, tagged “Project Ekwueme,” which will cover another 200 centres.
“We will not stop until all 948 primary healthcare centres have been upgraded,” he said.
Otti disclosed that 77 PHCs had already been retrofitted with support from the World Bank, adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities.
On service delivery, he said the state had begun digitalising operations in PHCs and introducing telemedicine to improve access to care.
“A doctor can sit in Umuahia, review your case, prescribe medication and provide solutions without physical contact,” he said.
He added that the goal is to ensure every community has access to a modern and fully functional primary healthcare centre.
Otti said the state is also recording progress at the tertiary healthcare level, with several facilities undergoing upgrades.
He said about six general hospitals are being retrofitted, alongside the construction of a new general hospital in Ukwa East, expected to be completed before year-end.
He added that major works are ongoing at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba; Abia State Specialist Hospital, Amachara; and the General Hospital, Umunneato.
“The work is extensive, and I can assure you it is progressing well,” he said.
The governor further disclosed that the state had received its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Abia never had an MRI machine before now. We are grateful for this state-of-the-art equipment, valued at about one million dollars,” he said.
He said a diagnostic centre is being set up at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital to house the MRI and other equipment.
On education and power, Otti said electricity had been restored to Abia State University, Uturu, after more than a decade of outage.
“We commissioned a 5MW substation, ensuring the university now has electricity whenever there is supply,” he said.
He added that a 15MW independent power project has also been approved to strengthen electricity supply.
In the culture and tourism sector, he said the state had partnered with the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum, both in Umuahia.
He described the initiative as a step toward preserving history and boosting tourism.
Otti said the state’s development agencies were making progress in transforming different regions.
On hospitality, he said reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel, in partnership with Radisson Blu, is progressing, with about 120 rooms expected to be ready within 12 months.
He added that discussions are ongoing to convert the Government House at Ogurube Layout into a five-star hotel, while the current Government House will remain at its present location.
The governor said work is nearing completion at the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, with plans to commence pilot operations soon.
On aviation, he said construction of the Abia International Airport runway is progressing, with the Federal Government responsible for the terminal.
He added that the Nigerian Air Force has been allocated 200 hectares for a training school and base within the airport.
In agriculture, Otti said Presco Plc has committed 200 million dollars to oil palm cultivation and processing across 40,000 hectares in the state.
He added that Abia has been selected for the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
He also disclosed that work is progressing on the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP), describing it as a long-term, multi-sectoral project.
On infrastructure, Otti said over 50 projects are ongoing across the state, while discussions are underway to commence the Abia State Integrated Development Programme (ABSID).
“We recently met with the AfDB, Federal Ministry of Finance and IsDB, and we are working to commence the project by April,” he said.
He added that the projects would include roads and other key infrastructure.
The governor also referenced the recent inauguration of a privately owned 35 million dollar beverage plant in Aba, noting that further investment phases are underway.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting investments that boost job creation, economic growth and poverty reduction.
