Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on Monday assented to 18 Executive Bills aimed at strengthening the structured reforms introduced by the state government to improve the lives of its citizens.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, following the May Expanded Executive Council Meeting.
Kanu added that the administration’s second anniversary activities included an ongoing project inspection by former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti.
He further stated, “The State Government has paid a counterpart fund of N3.5 billion as part of its commitment to support the maintenance of six road projects and five graded roads across 10 local government areas, as well as three agro-logistics hubs.
“This initiative is part of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Programme (RAAMP).
“With the state’s counterpart funds paid, we anticipate that, pending similar action from the World Bank, the project will soon commence, benefiting 10 or more local government areas.”
Contributing, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, revealed that the total number of Executive Bills signed into law by this administration has now risen to 30.
Uwanna highlighted some key legislation, including the updated Abia Homeland Security Act, which now provides for the establishment of an effective Forest Guard, as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
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He also mentioned the enactment of the Abia State Bonds Act, which empowers the state to raise funds through the capital market for developmental projects.
Furthermore, Uwanna confirmed the formal establishment of the Abia State Ombudsman and Public Complaints Commission through an Act.
He added that the Abia State Estate Development Agency has been dissolved, with its staff now absorbed into the Ministry of Lands.
According to Uwanna, the Umuahia Capital Development Agency, Abia Orientation Agency, and Abia State Fire Service will no longer report directly to the governor.
“These agencies will now report to the Ministries of Lands, Information, and Homeland Security, respectively,” he explained.
The Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Blessing Felix, announced that the governor also assented to the Abia Senior Citizens’ Bill.
Felix noted that once implemented, the Act will ensure that the welfare of every citizen aged 60 and above in Abia State is safeguarded by the government.
