The Abia State Government is set to roll out a 25-year Greater Aba Masterplan, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming the commercial nerve centre of the state.
Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, revealed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Government House in Umuahia, following the latest State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting.
He described the plan as a product of collaboration between the Greater Aba Development Authority and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
Kanu explained that the blueprint revolves around four strategic pillars: road infrastructure and connectivity, economic development, sustainable urban expansion, and flood control.
According to him, “The first pillar focuses on road infrastructure, which includes transportation, development, and improved connectivity within Aba.”
“The second pillar will deal with the economic development of Aba, and it will deal with industrial zones, upgrades, and formalisation of commercial hubs within the city,” he added.
The third pillar, he said, targets sustainable urban development, while the fourth is aimed at strengthening flood management systems, a chronic challenge in Aba.
On the health front, Kanu disclosed that three new Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been inaugurated under the Project Ekwueme Scheme, bringing the total to 17. A fourth is scheduled to open on June 20 in Ngu, Bende Local Government Area.
He said the facilities are equipped with modern medical equipment and staffed with qualified professionals to improve access to healthcare across the state.
The commissioner also revealed that the state’s health insurance scheme now has 91,227 enrollees, which he described as “encouraging.” Approval has also been secured to expand the scheme to cover the informal sector.
He announced that a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is now operational at the Abia State Specialist and Diagnostic Hospital, significantly enhancing emergency and surgical response capacity.
Kanu said renovations at hostels in Abia State University, Uturu, are nearing completion, alongside plans to commence academic staff recruitment in key departments, following EXCO approval.
At the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu (ASCETA), construction of internal roads, library upgrades, and retrofitting of auditoriums are underway — part of efforts to aid course accreditation and raise standards in higher education.
On security, the commissioner acknowledged recent incidents but assured the public that the government and security agencies are actively working to maintain peace across the state.