By Editor

Abia state government has commenced the demolition of marked structures on Ossah/Mission hill road even as construction of the proposed six lane has been flagged off.

The governor, Alex Otti during the flag off, recalled all the concerns people expressed concerning the planning stage and announced that all the issues had been put to rest

He declared that the total sum meant to pay compensation was already available for the claimants.

He said his government was not going to hurt the people whose property were marked for demolition, hence the payment of compensations.

He disclosed that the construction will begin from Okpara square and terminate at the Tower in the first phase, while the second part will extend to Imo river.

The governor on the same day reopened the Abia specialist hospital at Amachara and Aba road following installation of modern and new equipment at the centres .

He decried the level of dilapidation he met upon assumption of office and vowed that under his watch, no Abia state health facility will be left to deteriorate.

The Chief medical director and commissioner for health, Dr. Francis Agu and Ngozi Okoronkwo respectively pointed out that the facilities have been so upgraded that the staff have no excuse not to work efficiently.

Dr. Agu thanked the governor for being magnanimous in the provision of the much needed equipment

Chinwe Ugele, Umuahia.

The resurgence of dirt within Umuahia the capital city of Abia state is an issue of public importance that requires immediate attention.

In this special report, our crew visited some areas in Umuahia to see first hand the reason for the outcry by residents.

The General manager of Abia state Environmental protection Agency, Sir Kingsley Chinkwem also offered some explanation on why it took his agency long to evacuate the refuse across the city.

Chinwe Ugele, Umuahia

The much anticipated free medical and surgical outreach of Prof. Greg Ibe has finally kicked off in Umuahia.

The exercise which was flagged off on Tuesday at the Umuahia Event centre, Okpara square marks the commencement of the zonal free medical outreach. It is expected to last for three days in Umuahia, thereafter, it will move to Isiala Ngwa North to complete Abia central zone before moving to Abia South and finally Abia North.

The deputy guberntorial Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Hon. Obinna Ichita describes the exercise as “an exceptional show of empathy to the people of Abia state .”

He said, Prof. Greg Ibe feels the pain of the citizens of the state who have for nearly one year suffered the non functional state of all health facilities owned by the government in the state, hence his interventionist measures to elongate the lives of the people

Ichita who is also member of the Abia state House of Assembly, said it is more unsettling knowing that the hospital’s are under lock and key, while resident doctors have been on strike for many months , yet the government is unperturbed about the situation.

He decried the proliferation of funeral homes (mortuaries) which according to him are scattered all over the communities and even added that sadly the only thing still functioning at ABSUTH is the mortuary facility .

While assuring that Prof Ibe will surely sustain the program, he said ,”If government does not care for us, there still exists among us men with good conscience.”

The leader of the medical team, Dr. Ojum Ogwo, disclosed that there are over 20 health personnel working in the team. He said amongst whom are consultants, surgeons, medical directors and doctor corps members.

He said they have seen patients with various ailments like typhoid fever, hepatitis, stroke and eye problems. Dr. Ogwo also stated that they have had cause to refer the surgical cases to the federal medical centre for proper attention considering the understanding that exists between the management and Prof. Ibe.

On the part of the APGA party chairman in the state, Rev. Austin Ehiemere, who said it is shameful that ABSUTH lost accreditation due to bad governance, citizens should utilise the rare opportunity of free medical outreach to treat their ailments.

He also said that Prof Ibe did not begin his philanthropy overnight in order to advance his political ambition, adding that he had been in the act for many years.

it is certain that the outreach in the end would have helped families who ordinarily couldn’t afford health care services.