Food Security Takes Lead As Abia Unveils Wide-Ranging Development Plans
In a bold push to guarantee food security and create jobs, the Abia State Government says it has intensified work on a far-reaching Agricultural Intervention Project in collaboration with all 17 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, told journalists in Umuahia that the initiative anchored by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs—will provide abundant food for residents while generating employment and empowering rural communities.
Four robust prototype markets, each with 40 stalls, solar lighting, mobile facilities, and public conveniences, are to be built in batches across the state within the next two weeks.
Kanu explained that the markets are central to Governor Alex Otti’s Food Security Programme, which aims to strengthen local production and distribution networks so that “besides the provision of food for the citizenry, this intervention programme will also provide a source of employment and empowerment for Abians.”
“The State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs is planning the construction of four robust prototype markets across 17 LGAs,”
He said that the construction which would be done in batches would commence within a fortnight while the markets would feature 40 local stalls with solar-powered lights to provide solar-powered mobile facilities, public conveniences, and solar-powered phone charging routes.
While agriculture dominated the briefing, the Commissioner also highlighted complementary infrastructure and economic moves designed to boost Abia’s overall growth:
He recalled that, a couple of months ago, the state government disclosed its intentions of establishing a materials testing lab.
He declared that with this move to ensure high quality of engineering and building projects in the state, the Abia State Government (ABSG) has fully delivered and installed its material testing laboratory in Umuahia.
The state has completed and installed a fully equipped Materials Testing Laboratory in Umuahia. The lab offers concrete, soil, asphalt, steel reinforcement, and non-destructive testing to ensure high-quality engineering and building projects.
“We are happy to announce that, that laboratory is fully installed and is up and running now.
“The lab has the capacity for the following services. Concrete Testing, Soil Testing, Aggregate Testing, Asphalt Flexible Pavement Testing, Steel Reinforcement Testing, Non-Destructive Testing, and Fields Testing, among so many other capabilities.
“The installation of this lab will ensure very high quality of engineering and building projects in the state'” Prince Kanu stated.
The government has reached an advanced stage in the recovery and revitalisation of the Abia Hotel Limited, pledging that no state-owned property will be allowed to waste or be misappropriated.
“The recovery process of that facility has reached an advanced stage, and further details about that process will be unfolded in due course to the press.
Verification of 850 applicants for Abia TechRise ICT Training Cohort 2 is complete, with training set to begin September 25 to prepare young people for 21st-century opportunities.
Abia Soccerfest is ongoing across the 17 LGAs, while the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation will host an International Leaders’ Summit from September 22–25 to help entrepreneurs leverage technology and enhance product quality for export.
According to him, the objective of the summit is to strengthen the collaboration between the State Ministry of Science and Technology and entrepreneurs in the vendor subsector, with a view to strengthening their use of technology in their business while enhancing the quality of their products for exports.
Prince Kanu reiterated that these programmes underscore Governor Otti’s pledge that “under his watch, no government asset will be allowed to waste,” adding that agriculture and food security remain the cornerstone of Abia’s economic resilience.
