Abia Govt set to Flag-Off Civil Service estate in Umuahia, announces palliatives on Ovom roads, revival of enyimba factories

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Jul 9, 2026

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has announced its readiness to flag off the construction of the proposed Civil Service Commission Housing Estate in Umuahia, the state capital.

The disclosure was made on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

The Commissioner said bids for the construction of the homes had been opened to contractors, adding that the list of successful contractors would be published within the next month.

He explained that the project has two components: the Old Civil Service Commission Area and the defunct Abia Hotels Area.

“The Old Civil Service Commission Area has been successfully cleared and is ready for allocation to prospective contractors,”Kanu stated.

“The Abia Hotels Area will be ready within the next two weeks for parcellation and allotment to contractors. Thereafter, preliminary works will commence even before the formal flag-off ceremony.”

The Commissioner also disclosed that the governor has ordered immediate palliative works on some sections of Ovom Road in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, following flood incidents in the area.

“Relief has come to road users plying the Ogbo Hill section of the road, near the former mechanic village, which became impassable due to flooding during the rainy season,”he said.

“The governor has directed the Honourable Commissioner for Works and his team of engineers to provide immediate palliative measures on the section of the road susceptible to flooding.

“For the records, the road is a federal road. However, Governor Alex Otti does not discriminate between federal and state roads, as they are all used by Abians.

“A permanent solution will require discussions and approvals from the Federal Government. For now, temporary rainy-season maintenance works will be carried out to ease the burden on residents and road users in the area.”

Kanu further stated that there has been a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and the Enyimba Garments Factory in Aba.

According to him, the two local manufacturing concerns had suffered neglect and decay during previous administrations. But in line with the economic development vision of the Alex Otti-led administration, and with the appointment of Ms. Nena Kalu-Ogba as General Manager, impressive achievements have been recorded.

“The two factories have been restored to active manufacturing through innovation, strategic planning, and prudent management of resources,”_ he said.

“To date, five production lines have been established across both factories. The new management is also developing new brand lines capable of competing in both local and international markets.

“The revitalization of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Factory and Enyimba Garments Factory underscores the government’s commitment to sustainable economic growth in Abia State.”

The Commissioner further noted that the Ogbor SMART School commissioned by the state government on Tuesday is a flagship project of the SMART School Initiative.

“The school is a public primary school that has been transformed into a technology-enabled facility for 390 learners in basic education,” he said.

“The new facility comprises 39 classrooms, an ICT lab, a library, a teacher resource center, and a full administrative block.

“A key highlight is that all pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 6 have been provided with individual tablets, which they will use throughout their stay in the school.

“The school runs on SMART infrastructure, including a Learning Management System and school management software.
The facility is powered by an off-grid solar system with energy-efficient lighting and water management systems.

“Additional safety and inclusion measures include fire safety systems, disability-accessible facilities, a sick bay, and comprehensive security architecture to safeguard the lives of students, teachers, and school property.”