Abia to benefit from $750m world bank renewal energy intervention fund * Warns detractors against blackmail

Abia to benefit from $750m world bank renewal energy intervention fund

* Warns detractors against blackmail

By Steve Oko

Abia State is to benefit from a whopping $750 million World Bank intervention fund on renewable energy.

This is as the State Government has sternly warned detractors and embittered opposition members who publish falsehood to blackmail the Alex Otti-led administration, to desist forthwith or face the wrath of the law.

Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu who gave the warning during a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, said the State Government’s gentle disposition should not be taken for weakness as it would no longer hesitate to take necessary actions granted by the constitution to prevent any abuse.

On the solar power project, he said that the State would participate in the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES).

“This is a $750 million World Bank intervention and renewable energy development programme. The state government will have the opportunity to participate in this programme and it will in no small way boost the electricity sector of the state,” he said.

He explained that the State was collaborating with the International Solar Aliance (ISA) to develop regulations for the establishment and operation of solar,-powered mini-grid in the state.

“ISA is an intergovernmental treaty-based organisation with 123 member countries”, he said, adding that the collaboration “is part of the state government’s agenda to play big in the power sector through huge investments as well as the attraction of private capital into that sector.”

The collaboration according to him, “will enable ISA to support the state government through the use of power and public utilities to establish a thriving environment that will attract investments and sustain solar power projects in the state, thereby driving growth and mitigating climate change.”

He said that the signing into law, of the Abia State Electricity law 2025, had exposed Abia to many opportunities.

Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Engr. Kachi Etuluo, said the project was a testimony that the efforts of the Alex Otti-led administration to reinvent the state, were gaining global recognition.

He said that when fully realised, the project would boost the on-going efforts to attract more investors and industrialise the state.

ASEPA begins clearing of waterways to prevent flooding

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information announced that the Abia State Environmental Management Agency (ASEPA), had commenced the clearing of waterways in Umuahia the state capital up to Isiala Ngwa as part of proactive measures to prevent flooding following warnings by the federal government.

He said:”The waterways need to be cleaned and opened up to prevent the flooding of those areas of the city during the rainy season.

“There have been some predictions that some areas of the state are susceptible to floods. So what ASEPA is doing is looking at areas where you have drainages that are blocked.

“They are opening them up to ensure that if by chance the rains come very heavy, that the cities of Umuahia and other parts of the state would not be flooded”.

He further said ASEPA had procured and deployed 2.7 tonne receptacles in Aba and Umuahia for evacuation of wastes.

Kanu explained that the deployment of the smaller receptacles was to make for easy evacuation of refuse through narrow roads unlike the normal ones.

Warns detractors against blackmail

Warning detractors against spreading lies against Government, the Commissioner said any further violations would not go unpunished.

“This state government has never been averse to criticism, particularly if they are constructive. But what the state government is frowning at, is this deliberate attempt by certain individuals to publish falsehoods with the intent to mislead members of the public.

“The state government is using this opportunity to say that it will no longer fold its arms and watch people with such bad intentions, publish falsehoods against the state government.

“Going forward, the state government will not tolerate any such thing. The government will take recourse to the laws of the land.”

On the on-going recruitment of health workers, the Commissioner said s total of 1,983 applications had been received out of which 1,348 had been shortlisted.

He said that Computer Based Test would be conducted between the 26th and 30th of August for the shortlisted applicants, adding that those who pass the CBT will be interviewed between the 2nd and 16th of September, 2025.

He said that the Civil Service Commission had advertised for contract consultants, primary consultants and medical officers, and that the portal for these set of applicants would close by the 30th of August, 2025.

Contributing, the Chairman of Abia State Civil Service Commission, Dr Mrs Eno Jerry Eze, said that recruitment process remained transparent, assuring that only competent and qualified persons would be engaged.

She further said Commission was also putting measures in place to improve civil service in the state.

Meanwhile, the Information Commissioner had announced the appointment of Dr Friday Kanu Ohuche as Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor.

He further said that 30 road contracts had been approved by the State Executive Council in addition to 54 direct labour projects across the state.

This, according to him, is part of the efforts of the Government to open up the state for investors.

 

Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.

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