The Abia State Government has announced plans to implement a new policy that will prioritise the procurement of made-in-Abia goods and services, effectively halting the sourcing of such items from outside the state as part of efforts to tackle economic challenges and promote local content.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this during a press briefing held in Umuahia on Monday evening after the weekly executive council meeting chaired by the Governor, said the initiative is a deliberate response to the nation’s economic challenges and global inflation trends.
“This policy will become fully operational and will ensure that goods and services obtainable in the state will not be procured from outside,” he stated.
Kanu highlighted the recent visit of Innocentric Limited, a company focused on handmade fabrics like the locally-produced Akwete cloth, as an example of the administration’s push to elevate indigenous products. He said the governor is committed to promoting local fabrics and other homegrown products through this new policy direction.
On education, Kanu confirmed the conclusion of the first phase of the state’s teacher recruitment exercise, which saw the shortlisting of 7,000 applicants who scored 45% and above, including 180 persons with disabilities. Those who scored between 40–44% were placed on a reserve list to cover any shortfalls.
The commissioner noted the integrity of the recruitment process, which was overseen by a 30-member panel of highly qualified educationists, including professors and PhD holders. He described the process as “inclusive, orderly, and incident-free,” adding that a sign language expert was available to assist candidates with hearing impairments.
To expand access, he said the State Executive Council also approved a second phase of the teacher recruitment process.
“The outcome will also serve as a data bank for future teacher needs as enrollment continues to rise due to the state’s free education policy,” Kanu said.
He also issued a stern warning to school heads who continue to collect illegal fees despite the government’s policy on free primary and junior secondary education.
“The government provides monthly subventions for school operations. Anyone caught violating this policy will face severe sanctions, including possible dismissal,” he said.
As part of ongoing reforms, the state will train 2,200 public school teachers between April 10–19 through the Education Reformation and Innovation Team (EREIT). Training centres have been set up in Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia to cover the three senatorial zones.
The commissioner also announced that Governor Alex Otti will formally launch the Centre Social Insurance Scheme on April 10 at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia.
On the same day, the Sound Intervention Hearing Mission 2025, a collaboration with the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, will distribute over 1,000 hearing aids to individuals with hearing impairments.
In healthcare, Kanu said the Executive Council has approved the construction of a new General Hospital in Ukwa East Local Government Area, while similar projects in Arochukwu, Ohafia, Obingwa, and Ikwuano LGAs are progressing steadily.
Additionally, Kanu confirmed the recent killing of two Chinese nationals and a police officer by bandits around the Uturu axis.
He noted that investigations indicate the victims may have been trailed from Ebonyi State. Security measures have since been intensified across border points with Ebonyi and Imo states.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and support government efforts to sustain peace and economic progress in the state.
