REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
The Abia State Government has disclosed that it has so far employed 649 medical personnel out of the 771 approved for recruitment, as part of efforts to improve healthcare service delivery across the state.
Briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the newly recruited personnel include 432 nurses, who have already been deployed to Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.
Prince Kanu revealed that the recruits also include a neurosurgeon with a rare specialty, stressing that the state government remains open to further recruitment even after the current shortfall of 122 personnel is filled.
The Commissioner also announced that the Forum of Academic Doctors has voted Governor Alex Otti as the Best Performing Governor in the South-East, attributing the recognition to the administration’s reforms across critical sectors of the state’s economy.
On transportation, Prince Kanu said the state government installed temporary charging stations to support its free electric bus services during the yuletide, adding that additional charging stations would be deployed across the state.
He further disclosed that two MVH 33/10.415kV distribution substations have been installed at the Umuahia Bus Terminal, noting that about 80 percent of the terminal has been completed, with plans to commission the project soon.
In the power sector, the Commissioner announced that the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) would, before the end of January, issue an order to regularize electricity operations in the state.
According to him, the development follows the recent transfer of electricity regulatory powers from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the state.
Prince Kanu said the move would enhance consumer protection, improve service delivery, and ensure faster resolution of electricity-related complaints in Abia State.
