OTTI SETS TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING ESTATE

Abia State Government is to commence the development of a Housing Estate in Umuahia, the state capital.

The Estate named Pocket Layout Industrial Estate is
envisaged to provide affordable housing for residents of the state.

Briefing Newsmen at the Government House Umuahia on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Otti, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu said the procurement process for the project has reached an advanced stage.

The Commissioner explained that the project would be sited in two areas the Old Civil Service Commission and the former Abia Hotels area.

Highlighting the progress recorded so far on the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and the Enyimba Garments Factory in Aba which had suffered neglect, the Commissioner said the state government recently appointed Ms Nena Kalu-Ogba to over see the operations of the two firms and noted that they had been restored to active production after years of decline.

He emphasized that the revival of the Companies reflects the state government’s commitment to industrialisation, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Contributing, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and Enyimba Garment Factory , Ms. Nena Kalu Ogba, said the state government revived the two factories through the acquisition of modern equipment that would enable their products to compete favourably with best global brands and change the perception of inferior quality of Aba-made products.

Also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, dismissed allegations that admission into the state’s Smart Schools favoured children of government officials and affluent families, describing the claims as false.

Ekeoma maintained that the present administration had consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency and merit, pointing to the abolition of practices such as the “Governor’s List” and “Government House List” in admissions into tertiary institutions, as evidence of the government’s resolve to restore integrity to the education sector