Abia Govt Plans To Set Up Tuition-Free Schools In Senatorial Zones

Abia State government has stated its resolve to establish tuition-free schools in the three senatorial zones of the state, to train artisans who are currently lacking in the state.

Briefing newsmen on Monday night on the outcome of the week’s executive council meeting, chaired by the state governor, Alex Otti, the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, said the one-year programme, that is residential, will feature courses on solar power installation and maintenance, PoP, painting, mason and tiling, among others.

He said that this was in line with the state government’s interest in ensuring the abundance of artisans in the state, instead of importing them from outside, stating that the graduands will be empowered with funds.

He added, “For quite a while, Abia has been lacking artisans. So, the state government wants to put an end to this shortage of skilled workers in the state.”

The commissioner used the opportunity to state that the supply of gas to the Geometric Power Plant in Aba has started since Saturday in preparation for the oncoming commissioning of the plant at the weekend, stating that the gas supply comes from Owazza.

He also disclosed that the state government has taken a firm stand on vehicles driving against traffic, literally called “one way” in any part of the state, stating that the state government views it as “serious indiscipline” and is taking “a measure in stamping out the impunity” to ensure doing things right.

He added, “Government views it as serious offence and is setting up a taskforce in that regards.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, informed that the state government is still investigating the source of the contamination of Aro Ajatakiri stream, disclosing that some companies in Umuahia are under investigation over their waste disposal methods, assuring that soon, the state government will come out with the result of its findings.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Kanu said the state government is yet to get any released grains as announced by the Federal Government, stating, “I am not aware of any such issue.”