Abia Launches New Mass Transit Fleet with China-Made Electric Buses
The state’s information commissioner, Prince Okey Kanu, has disclosed that the Abia State government has purchased a few electric vehicles for its mass transit transportation program.
Following the State Executive Council meeting, Okey Kanu briefed reporters in Umuahia, stating that the vehicles are being manufactured in China and would be delivered to the state in November 2025.
The commissioner claims that the bus routes have been laid out and that every logistical assistance has been set up in preparation for the scheme’s successful launch.
The head of state information said that the state government is working to promote Ndigbo culture and that on July 25, 2025, the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy would begin a creative talent program in all 17 LGAs of the state, in keeping with the cultural revolution the governor is advocating.
He revealed that the initiative aims to find artistic and other creative skills in the state’s 17 LGAs, adding that it will promote youth inclusion and grassroots empowerment of the state’s youth population.
“With the engagement and international visibility of Abia’s creative potential in line with the vision of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti OFR,” Prince Kanu said, “this program further underscores the state government’s commitment to cultural innovation.”
A delegation is scheduled to visit Aba this week for preliminary evaluations of the city, he disclosed, adding that Abia State has started formal procedures to designate Aba as a UNESCO Creative City. The strategic move aims to raise Aba’s creative profile internationally while adhering to international standards.
According to Kanu, the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, will officially launch the Aba Regional Water Scheme rehabilitation at CKC Aba on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in order to fulfill one of his campaign pledges to bring drinkable water back to Abians’ homes in the state’s cities and communities. This is in response to the ongoing water crisis in Abia.
The governor added that the Integrated Wash Accelerator Programme (IWAP), which will be launched on Wednesday at the recently built Wash Facility at Okigwe Park in Umuahia, is a project aimed at reviving the state’s water sanitation and hygiene.
According to the Abia commissioner, the Federal Government’s declaration of a public holiday in the wake of President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing has caused some of the events that Governor Otti was scheduled to launch to be postponed.
On July 16, 2025, he stated, “three significant events between Aba and Umuahia will take place.” The restoration of the Aba Regional Water Scheme will be inaugurated by His Excellency there in Aba.
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“The plan needs to be rehabilitated in order to regain its performance and sustainability due to the infrastructure failure, inadequate operations, and bad maintenance.
In accordance with the governor’s directive to supply Aba with drinkable water, the state government gave Vena Cava Limited the contract to restructure the water system during the project’s initial phase.
His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti will also introduce the Integrated Wash Accelerator Program (IWAP) earlier on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The program’s goal is to restore water sanitation and hygiene in the state.
“The facility aims to provide the state with sustainable, easily accessible, and safe water sanitation services that support present and future development needs.”
“The project is in accordance with His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti’s directive to implement the Abia Integrated Wash Accelerator Program in order to achieve Zero Defecation in Abia State, which is the sixth Sustainable Development Goal of the UN.
According to Prince Kanu, “the program will involve the construction, operation, and maintenance of modern water facilities powered by solar energy.”
In terms of electricity, the commissioner revealed that Otti would put into service 430 kW of battery storage and 150 kV of solar power. This project aims to utilize solar energy to power state health facilities while lowering dependency on grid electricity, which will reduce diesel consumption and promote sustainability.
About N4.1 billion was realized from the launch of the Abia State Security Trust Fund, which took place last week, according to the Abia information chief.
He claims that as part of the government’s beautifying and urban redevelopment initiative, which involves designated public areas and routes, rural artworks are now being planned at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, FMC Umuahia, and Osisioma junction (Flyover) in Aba, among other locations.
Additionally, he stated that there are already 53 locations throughout the state where direct level work is being done.
Engineer Ikechukwu, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, said in his contribution on Monday that the governor is committed to bringing pipe-borne water back to Abia state households.
He mentioned that three important water schemes in Aba, including those in Ogbor Hill, CKC, and Ariaria, were scheduled for renovation.
“We’ve started awarding contracts,” he stated. The first area of concentration is the Aba Regional Water Scheme, which is composed of three water schemes that support and create the entire Aba network.
“The first phase, which involves redesigning the water infrastructure to generate well-treated water that satisfies World Health Organization standards, is expected to be finished in six months.
The reticulation is the second step, for which we have already drafted the request for quotations. Rehabilitating the transmission and water transmission lines in Aba will entail testing as well as distribution. We will therefore take them in stages.
Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Mr. Matthew Ekwuruibe also spoke, explaining that his ministry is now painting murals and will soon be building monuments as part of the state government’s beautification drive.
“We initiated a beautification initiative in the United States. A change will be apparent if you’re driving by FMC Gate and Osisioma Flyover. In several of these locations, we will also undertake the task of painting murals.
“In addition, we will start building a monument in a few key places throughout the states to make sure we support our principal’s efforts.
Additionally, the formal Creative Talent Hunt launch has begun in all 17 LGAs. I’m talking about talents, and you know why. Aba is a must-discuss while discussing talent in Nigeria today. Talents are abundant in Aba. “Cures are found there,” Ekwuruibe said.
