The Abia State Executive Council, on Monday, approved the construction of Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Umuahia, the state capital, to improve healthcare delivery for newborns and their mothers.
The facility would be sited opposite the Central Police Station, along Bende road, Umuahia.
The Abia government said it would deploy state-of-the-art equipment to the facility for diagnosis and management of babies and nursing mothers requiring medical care.
The Abia Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, said in a statement that the state’s executive council reached the decision to construct the medical complex during its meeting on Monday.
Kalu said the council also sent a goodwill message to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and others undergoing treatment for COVID-19 in the state.
According to the commissioner, the executive council applauded the Ikpeazu-led administration for, “successful launching of state-owned testing center at Abia State Specialist Hospital & Diagnostic Center, Amachara and another one that will open in Aba next week.”
He also stated that, ”In order to further improve the road infrastructure capital in the state, Exco reviewed and approved the following road projects as recommended by the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC):
“Contract for construction of Ukwunwangwu/Ndudu (2.95 km) Road Phase 1, Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA; Contract for the construction of Obiagu/Umuanyi (1.9km) Road, Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA; Contract for the construction of Ukwunwangwu-Isunabo (1.8km) Road, Uturu, Isuikwuato LGA; Contract for rehabilitation of Umuenyere Alayi-Item-Nkporo Road in Bende/Ohafia LGA (26km); Contract for the construction of 2.5km Umuokwu/Ubaha Road (Leading to Dephilajoms Agro & Allied Industries (Nig) Ltd.; Contract for the construction/ rehabilitation of Adaelu-Unity Garden Estate Road (1.4km), Osisioma LGA.
“Contract for the construction of Amapu Ntigha-Abam Ubakala Road in Isialangwa North and Umuahia North LGA’s (1.0km); Contract for the construction of Apumiri Umuochi – Umuejeaya Mgarakuma – Ahiaorie Umuosu (3.2Km) Road in Umuahia south LGA; Contract for the recontruction of Obioha Road, Aba South LGA (2.95km); Contract for the reconstruction of Ohanku Road, Aba South LGA (5.3km); Contract for variation: As a result of dualization/expansion of Ururuka Road from Ogbor-Hill Bridge to Umuobiakwa (13km); Contract for rehabilitation of Obigbo – Aba Sports Club GRA, Aba (1.100Km); Contract for Rehabilitation of Abak Road and PZ Road (0.760km); Contract for the rehabilitation of Egbelu Railway Line – Aba/Owerri Roads, GRA, Aba.(1.244km).
“Contract for the reconstruction of Ekeakpara Road from Osisioma Junction (3.5km); Contract for the construction of Amaorji Osusu-Okpuala Ngwa-Amauzu Ovungwu-Ntigha Umukalu Road, and Spurs at Obikabia, Iheorji, Palace Aru-Egbelu and Umuosi-Ntigha Roads(15km), Isialangwa North and South LGAs; Contract for the construction of Nbawsi Junction to Okpoala (St. Judges/Umunkolo Bypass), Isialangwa North LGA (2.0km); Contract for the reconstruction of Chief Ubani Road, Aba North LGA(1km); Contract for the variation/construction of Bende-Idima Abam Road in Bende and Arochukwu LGAs (8.1km).”
Kalu added that the executive council also constituted an Inter-ministerial committee to review the Abia State Bio Refinery Project, with Dr Aham Uko as Chairman, and Chief Chijioke Madumere, Engr. Thomas Okoro, and Dr Chukwuma Agu as members.
He said other resolutions reached by the council include to strengthen internal security, to fund of COVID-19 related intervention, approval of funding for the completion of the JAAC building in Umuahia, approval of counterpart fund for Universal Basic Education projects, and approval of funding for the ongoing virtual learning program of the ministry of education.
