The Abia government’s partnership with MTN Nigeria has achieved 77 per cent voice and data coverage across the state through newly deployed telecommunications sites, the information commissioner, Okey Kanu, has said.

Speaking on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, Mr Kanu said that residents had reported improved network coverage in previously underserved areas.

He, however, decried the vandalisation of telecommunications sites and fibre infrastructure, particularly in Aba.

Mr Kanu appealed to communities to take ownership of the communication infrastructure being installed to improve telecommunications services across the state.

The commissioner said that MTN was working to restore the almost 100 per cent coverage previously achieved before the vandalisation of some newly deployed sites.

On sexual and gender-based violence, Kanu said that the Abia Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) had recorded eight cases involving survivors aged between four and 25 years.

He said that the cases involved abuse by neighbours, landlords, family members and, in one instance, a labourer. According to him, some of the incidents involved repeated assaults on young children by the same perpetrator.

Mr Kanu said that the centre provided medical, psychosocial and legal support to the survivors, while collaborating with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice for victims. He said that the development underscored the need for sustained efforts to protect vulnerable persons and combat sexual and gender-based violence in the state.

The commissioner also said that the 2026 Abia Women’s August Meeting had set a new standard for grassroots development and strategic empowerment of women. He said that the meeting, held across the 17 council areas, focused on economic empowerment, skills development, social protection and support for vulnerable women.

Mr Kanu said that the initiative aligned with the state government’s women empowerment agenda, with particular attention to widows and vulnerable women. He said that the programme also promoted entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods among women across the state.

On education, Mr Kanu said that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education would conduct a mandatory five-day orientation programme for newly recruited teachers from September 7 to 12. He said that the training would take place at Dr Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, and Federal Government Girls College, Umuahia.

According to him, each participant will select a preferred training venue through the ministry’s portal.

The commissioner said that the programme would expose the teachers to their responsibilities as public and civil servants, as well as the vision and strategic direction of education.

Mr Kanu also said that the training would introduce participants to interactive, learner-centred teaching methods and digital literacy. He added that participants would be exposed to data-driven education tools, STEM teaching methods and vocational alignment in STEM education.

On Abia indigenes affected by xenophobia in South Africa, Kanu said that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection was coordinating their protection, voluntary repatriation and reintegration.

He said that the ministry was processing an additional batch of returnees while maintaining contact with leaders of the Abia community in South Africa. According to him, the Abia government is also working to identify and verify other stranded Abia citizens in South Africa.

Mr Kanu assured that the Abia government would continue to assist affected citizens and facilitate their return to Nigeria and Abia.

(NAN)