The Abia State Government has announced the immediate commencement of full enforcement of the use of waste bins in all commercial vehicles operating across the state, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness and instil proper waste disposal habits among commuters.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the initiative is being spearheaded by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), whose sustained sanitation campaigns have helped position Abia among the cleanest states in Nigeria.
“The enforcement is aimed at ensuring that passengers dispose of waste responsibly while commuting within and across the state,” he explained.
**Road Infrastructure Progress**
The Information Commissioner also provided an update on the state government’s road infrastructure development, noting significant progress under the current administration.
According to him, out of 29 roads currently under contract, three have been completed and will soon be commissioned. The completed projects are:
- The 2.213-kilometre Umuogo-Nsukwe Ring Road
- The 5.95-kilometre dualisation of the Onuimo Bridge–Abia Tower Road
- The 11.5-kilometre expansion and reconstruction of the Nunya-Eluama Road
Additionally, five roads executed under the Direct Labour initiative have been completed out of 51 ongoing projects. These include the maintenance of failed sections of the Osisioma Flyover, rehabilitation of failed sections along the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway leading to the Ugwunagbo Local Government Secretariat, maintenance and asphalt overlay of Adaelu Road from Osisioma Junction to Mopol Base in Aba, construction of the Oberete-Umuopara Road in Obingwa Local Government Area, and the construction of the Geometric Power to Guinness Junction Road in Aba.
**World Bank Partnership Strengthened**
Prince Kanu further revealed that Governor Alex Otti recently paid a courtesy visit to the new World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Matthews Verghis, in Abuja, to strengthen development partnerships between the state and the global financial institution.
He said the meeting allowed both parties to review existing collaborative programmes and explore new areas of partnership that could accelerate development across Abia State.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, said the Executive Council appreciated the Governor’s engagement with the World Bank, expressing optimism that the discussions would enhance the state’s access to World Bank-supported programmes.
Mrs. Felix identified energy, education, agriculture, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as key areas of collaboration, noting that these sectors align with Governor Otti’s development agenda for the state.
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