Funds for operating expenses for state institution heads have been granted by Abia State Governor Alex Otti through the state Ministry of Education.

The Commissioner of Information, Okey Kanu, briefed reporters in Umuahia on Monday regarding the results of the Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by the state governor. He stated: “In keeping with the education sector reforms, the state government has, through the Ministry of Education, obtained approval from Governor Alex Otti to provide funds, running costs for the office of heads of schools in the state.”

“Up until now, we have been accustomed to hearing tales of illicit fee collecting and other incidents, possibly as a result of pressure on institution directors. In order to guarantee that this becomes history, the state government has decided to subsidise the principals of secondary and elementary schools throughout the state.

The Commissioner also revealed that Abia has been accepted as a pilot state by the European Union for solar illumination of Abia health facilities.

“The state government’s Light Up Abia initiative is already yielding positive results,” Kanu stated. Because of its accomplishments in this area, Abia State has been selected as one of the five states to gain from Nigeria’s EU-sponsored Solar-for-Health project.

The project’s goal is to supply state-owned healthcare facilities with solar energy. 30% of the money will come from the state government, while 70% will come from the EU.

The Commissioner also revealed that 124 state highways, mostly in Aba and Umuahia, have been finished by the state government’s Ministry of Works.

“The Ministry of Works has continued to carry out the effort throughout the entire state, with a primary focus on Aba and Umuahia, in accordance with the state government’s zero pothole policy. The Ndoki (in Ukwa East) road would be put into service in 4 to 5 weeks, Kanu continued.