The Abia State Government has fully paid for the procurement of electric buses for its upcoming mass transport scheme, marking a significant milestone in Governor Alex Otti’s vision for sustainable urban mobility in the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during a press briefing held at the Government House, Umuahia,.
According to Kanu, the electric buses are currently being fabricated in China and are expected to arrive in the state by November 2025. He added that routes for the buses have been mapped out, and all necessary logistics are being put in place to ensure the seamless rollout of the transport scheme.
Meanwhile, Governor Alex Otti will also flag off the rehabilitation of the Aba Regional Water Scheme and commission the Integrated WASH Facilitation Program (IWAP), two major infrastructure projects aimed at restoring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene across Abia State.
The Aba Water Scheme, a groundwater system located within the CKC Church premises in Aba, is being revived as part of the Governor’s campaign pledge to return potable water to households, especially in Aba and other urban centers.
The IWAP, on the other hand, is based at the newly constructed WASH Facility at Okigwe Park in Umuahia.
Governor Otti is also expected to commission a 150 kVA solar power facility with a 430-kilowatt battery storage system. The project is designed to power health facilities across the state with solar energy, reducing dependence on the national grid, lowering diesel consumption, and promoting long-term sustainability in public health infrastructure.
Kanu noted that the solar power project is a practical step toward achieving the administration’s clean energy goals and will greatly enhance healthcare delivery in the state.
On security, the Information Commissioner revealed that the Abia State Security Trust Fund, launched recently to strengthen the state’s security architecture, has so far raised ₦4.1 billion—and the figure continues to grow.
In the area of youth development and creative industry promotion, Kanu announced that the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy will launch a Creative Talent Month across all 17 local government areas of the state on July 25. The programme is designed to identify and empower artistic and creative talents at the grassroots, with the broader goal of building a vibrant and inclusive creative economy in Abia.
In addition, he disclosed that Abia State has commenced formal proceedings to designate Aba as a UNESCO Creative City.
This is a move that would elevate the commercial hub’s global profile.
A delegation is expected in Aba this week for early-stage assessments in consultation with UNESCO and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.
These initiatives reflect the Otti administration’s commitment to delivering on its campaign promises through impactful and future-focused projects across key sectors.
