Abia Disburses N1.2bn for Medical, Social Interventions, Recovers N20.9m

Abia Disburses N1.2bn for Medical, Social Interventions, Recovers N20.9m

Abia State Government says it disbursed N1.2 billion between January and August 2026 to fund life-saving medical interventions and other social protection programmes for vulnerable residents, while recovering and returning N20.9 million in unutilised funds to the state treasury through routine monitoring.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, said 81 vulnerable groups benefited through the social protection programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.

Prince Kanu said the interventions were implemented through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection in line with the state’s social protection framework.

The commissioner said the assistance covered life-saving medical interventions, housing support for persons with disabilities, emergency housing assistance for victims of disasters and educational support for indigent students across the state.

He explained that the Ministry has continued to identify, assess and coordinate urgent medical and humanitarian interventions for vulnerable citizens, adding that the Otti led administration has consistently approved requests as part of its compassionate approach to governance.

According to Prince Kanu, routine monitoring and post-intervention assessments ensured that government funds were properly utilised, leading to the recovery and refund of N20.9 million to the state treasury.

On efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence, the Commissioner said that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba recorded 11 cases between July and August.

He said survivors received comprehensive medical, psychosocial, legal and referral services, while six suspects were arrested in connection with the cases, adding that four have been prosecuted.

The commissioner also announced continued progress under the Nigeria for Women Project, a World Bank-supported initiative designed to improve women’s livelihoods and economic empowerment, pointing out that Governor Otti has approved and paid the state’s N450 million counterpart funding to facilitate the expansion of the programme.

He said the project, which was previously implemented in Ohafia, Isiala Ngwa North and Obingwa Local Government Areas, had now been extended to Isiala Ngwa South, Ugwunagbo, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano and Ukwa West LGAs.

Prince Kanu added that the intervention would increase the number of participating women’s affinity groups from 3,000 to 6,000 and urged eligible women in the newly added local government areas to register with the State Project Implementation Unit to benefit from the initiative and its economic empowerment opportunities.

On infrastructure, the commissioner said the Ministry of Works had executed direct labour projects at 46 locations across the state noting that desilting works have been completed along IBB Way, Ahieke Road, Finbarrs Road, Road 8 and Obowo Street by Ibeku Road in Umuahia to improve drainage and reduce flooding during the rainy season.

He further disclosed that 26 road projects remained under contract across the state, noting that while heavy rainfall had slowed work on some sites, construction activities were expected to gather pace as the weather conditions improve.