Umuahia: The Abia government has ordered 20 additional electric buses for mass transit in addition to the 20 ordered earlier, and increased the charging stations from 10 to 20.
The State Commissioner of Information, Okey Kanu, said this during a press briefing on the outcome of the Abia State Government Executive Council Meeting at the Government House, Umuahia, on Monday.
Kanu said out of the first 20 buses expected to arrive in November, 12 will operate in Aba while eight will operate in Umuahia.
He stated that among the remaining 20, some will operate on the Ohafia-Bende axis, noting that the arrival of the buses will transform the state’s transport sector.
Kanu said the construction of the bus terminals in Umuahia and Aba was ongoing alongside junction improvement works and the building of bus shelters.
He also revealed that: “Abia state government in conjunction with Ethnocentric limited has taken on board 1,200 Abia youths for the second cohort of Fashion Future Skills Programme in garments and leather works.
“This programme is designed to impart skills to Abia youths in garment-making and leatherworks. The programme has so far attracted over $3 million in sponsorship funding from MasterCard Foundation.”
He said that the Abia State Sports Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, has launched the ambitious Abia State Creative Talent Hunt Initiative.
Kanu said the hunt is designed to empower young innovators and talents in music.
He said the Sports Ministry was working assiduously to celebrate this year’s Youth Day, slated for 6th to 12th, entitled
“Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Future.”
The commissioner said the activities lined up for the event included a youth assembly, symposium and interstate youth exchange visits.
He also added that Abia has procured a Wheelchair-accessible bus for disabled athletes for the International Sports Championships coming up from September 3 to October 12.
Kanu said the Falconets from Abia, who won the tournament for Nigeria, will be appreciated in December because they will return to their clubs for engagements.
He stated that Abia’s Ministry of Creative Arts, in support of a young Abia citizen, Mr Nuel Geoffrey, has achieved a Guinness World Record for the most faces painted in an hour.
He said Geoffrey broke the record of 217 faces painted in one hour by painting 275 faces.
“The official confirmation of this feat was made possible through the support of Otti via the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy,” he said.
Kanu said that the Ministry of Arts is also compiling an all-year-round book featuring Abia’s cultural festivals, a compendium of cultural festivals, calendar, key heritage sites, and others across the state to encourage tourism.
“The ongoing recruitment of the Abia Health workforce is progressing very well, and 1,604 applications have been received. The portal will close on August 9.
“We therefore encourage all qualified health personnel to apply for available positions before the closure of the portal,” Kanu said.
He further said 17 fully equipped Primary HealthCare Centres are now functional and offering care services to residents across the state.
The commissioner enjoined communities to ensure their preservation and protection from criminals.
