Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that all 948 primary healthcare centres across Abia State are fully upgraded and made operational, stressing that the focus remains on quality, functionality, and long term sustainability rather than mere infrastructure delivery.
The governor made this known during a monthly media chat with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia, where he provided a comprehensive update on the state’s healthcare reforms and broader development agenda.
Otti explained that while about 200 primary healthcare centres have already been completed, they will not be commissioned until they meet the required standards in terms of equipment, staffing, and service delivery. According to him, his administration is determined to avoid the common practice of inaugurating projects that are not fully ready to serve the people.
He emphasized that building structures alone is not enough, noting that the real objective is to ensure that residents have access to effective and reliable healthcare services at the grassroots level.
“In the area of healthcare, we are not just constructing buildings. We are focused on functionalising the primary healthcare centres so that they truly serve the people,” he said.
The governor disclosed that the state government had approved the recruitment of 771 healthcare professionals to support the facilities. However, he noted that only 569 personnel have so far been engaged due to manpower constraints, a development that has slowed the deployment of staff to all completed centres.
To address this gap, Otti said he has directed that the recruitment portal remain open, encouraging qualified medical professionals to continue applying until the required number is reached.
He further announced the commencement of Phase II of the primary healthcare upgrade initiative, tagged Project Ekwueme, which will cover an additional 200 centres across the state. He reiterated that the administration would not relent until all 948 centres have been upgraded and made fully functional.
The governor also revealed that 77 primary healthcare centres have already been retrofitted with support from the World Bank, adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the facilities.
On improving access and efficiency in healthcare delivery, Otti said the state has begun digitising operations within primary healthcare centres and introducing telemedicine services. He explained that this innovation would allow doctors to consult, diagnose, and recommend treatment remotely, thereby expanding access to care, especially in underserved communities.
“A doctor can sit in Umuahia and attend to a patient in another part of the state without physical contact, ensuring timely intervention and better outcomes,” he said.
Beyond primary healthcare, the governor highlighted ongoing improvements in the state’s tertiary health institutions. He noted that major upgrade works are currently underway at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital in Aba, the Abia State Specialist Hospital in Amachara, and the General Hospital in Umunneato.
According to him, about six general hospitals across the state are being retrofitted, while a new general hospital in Ukwa East is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Otti also announced that the state has received its first Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine, donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He described the development as a major milestone in Abia’s healthcare sector, noting that the equipment will be installed at a diagnostic centre within the teaching hospital to enhance medical diagnosis and treatment.
In the area of education and power, the governor disclosed that electricity has been restored to Abia State University, Uturu, after more than a decade of outage. He said this was achieved through the completion and activation of a 5 megawatt substation, which now ensures steady power supply whenever electricity is available.
He added that the state government has also approved a 15 megawatt independent power project aimed at further strengthening electricity supply, with the possibility that the university could eventually operate independently of the national grid.
On infrastructure development, Otti said the state is currently executing over 50 projects across different sectors, reflecting his administration’s commitment to rebuilding and modernising Abia.
He disclosed that discussions are at an advanced stage to commence the Abia State Integrated Development Programme, a major initiative being developed in collaboration with international partners. According to him, the programme is expected to drive large scale infrastructure development, particularly in road construction and related sectors.
The governor also highlighted growing investor confidence in the state, citing the recent inauguration of a 35 million dollar beverage plant in Aba, with additional phases already underway. He further revealed that Presco Plc has committed 200 million dollars to oil palm cultivation and processing across 40,000 hectares in Abia, a move expected to boost agricultural productivity and create jobs.
In addition, Otti spoke on the ongoing development of the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park, describing it as a long term, multi sectoral project that will include components such as modular refining, renewable energy, gas processing, fertilizer production, and chemical manufacturing.
He maintained that the project is designed to position Abia as a major industrial and economic hub in the region, attracting both local and international investors.
The governor also pointed to progress in the hospitality and transport sectors, noting that the reconstruction of the Enyimba Hotel in partnership with Radisson Blu is advancing steadily, with the first phase expected to deliver about 120 rooms within the next 12 months.
He added that work is nearing completion at the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, where pilot operations are expected to commence soon, while construction of the Abia International Airport runway is also progressing in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Otti further disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force has been allocated land within the airport area for the development of a training school and operational base, a move he said would enhance security and strategic presence in the state.
In the area of culture and tourism, the governor said the state is partnering with the Federal Government to rehabilitate key historical sites, including the Ojukwu Bunker and the National War Museum in Umuahia, in a bid to preserve national heritage and boost tourism.
He also commended the performance of key development agencies in the state, noting that they are playing critical roles in driving urban renewal and development.
Reaffirming his administration’s vision, Otti said the overall goal is to improve the quality of life for residents through strategic investments in healthcare, infrastructure, education, and economic development.
He stressed that the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for growth, reducing poverty, and ensuring that every community benefits from ongoing reforms and development initiatives.
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