Abia to benefit from EU-Sponsored Solar for Health Programme – Kanu
Abia State has been selected as one of the five states to benefit from the Nigeria Solar for Health Programme, an European Union sponsored initiative targeted at providing Solar Powered Lights to Health institutions in the state.
The state Commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu who stated this while briefing the press on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti said in execution of the project the state will provide counterpart funding to the tune of thirty percent while the European Union will provide the remaining 70%.
Prince Kanu noted that the provision of the solar powered lights will not only benefit the health institutions but all those that live around such health institutions.
He said so far the state government has installed 4500 solar powered lights across 74 locations in the state and still counting, adding that the light up Abia initiative is already bearing positive results for the state.
Prince Kanu noted that the state government has successfully completed 124 road projects inline with its zero-pothole initiative, adding that it is part of the state government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure with principal focus on Aba and Umuahia.
He announced that Ndoki -Ukwa East road under construction will soon be commissioned adding that the contractor is working assiduously to deliver the job ahead of schedule.
The commissioner highlighted that other road projects across the state are going on , adding that in Umuahia the Uchenna bus stop to Afara technical School road and Agbama transfer -F-line road maintenance work have been completed while Brass junction round about Aba with newly installed water fountain is almost completed.
On education Prince Kanu said that as part of ongoing reforms in the sector, the state government has through the ministry of education obtained approval to provide funds/running cost for the office of Heads of Schools in the state to address issues of illegal fee collections and alleviate pressure on School heads.
In the transport sector, the information Commissioner said the state is also ramping up its efforts to ensure safety and security of citizens by registering commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles and urged those affected to comply with the ongoing registration process before the commencement of enforcement.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzo Nwachukwu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma were present at the briefing.