Governor Alex Otti has reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustain development across key sectors, including roads, health, education, transport, power and security.

Mr Otti said this on Tuesday night during a monthly media parley with newsmen, at the Government House, Umuahia. He thanked residents for their cooperation during ongoing infrastructure works across Abia.

The governor urged the people of Abia to exercise patience as road construction and asphalt laying continued across communities.

On waste management, he restated his administration’s resolve to maintain a zero-tolerance policy for environmental filth to promote public health. Mr Otti also stressed that residents must take responsibility for proper waste disposal to keep Abia clean.

“In the area of environmental sanitation, nobody has been allowed to drop the ball, and we appreciate the level of work that you are doing. It will continue to be so because we have zero tolerance for rubbish, which is why we go around to pick up rubbish and deal with it the best way we can.

“Any time you see anything that should not be on the road, if it is someone that dropped it, call his attention and make sure he picks it up and puts it in his pocket,” he said.

On health, the governor said over 200 primary healthcare centres are being renovated and equipped with emphasis on meeting minimum standards  to improve access to quality healthcare services in Abia.

He said that in furtherance of the government’s resolve to enhance access to quality healthcare services, it placed a premium on employing qualified medical professionals to work in the facilities. He disclosed that Abia recently won national awards for health emergency preparedness, primary healthcare leadership, and strategic partnerships, crediting healthcare workers for the achievements.

In education, the governor noted ongoing renovation, fencing, smart school projects, and improved security in public schools, adding that a new phase would begin in 2026.

“In terms of education, renovation of schools, fencing of schools, the smart school projects and the securing of public schools, which is handled by Homeland Security. These things continue to go on, and we believe that the next phase will kick in in 2026,” Mr Otti said.

He announced the rollout of 20 electric buses under a pilot scheme, offering free transportation. Mr Otti said that one of the reasons the government decided to acquire electric buses was to promote environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

The Abia governor said, “The whole idea is to key in to the environmental sustainability standards and ensure that our carbon footprints are reduced to the bare minimum, while environmental sustainability and net zero emissions are promoted. So, we are happy that it started well. I rode in one of the buses myself from Umuahia to Ukwa West.”

Mr Otti said that 20 additional buses are expected, with 60 more arriving later, aiming to deploy 100 electric buses by the end of 2026.

(NAN)