Abia to distribute free uniforms, shoes in rural public schools

Abia State government has announced its readiness to commence free distribution of school uniforms and shoes to pupils in public primary schools in the rural areas of the state.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who disclosed this while speaking at the commissioning of the phase 1 and 2 of Amiyi Obilohia electricity project in Isuikwuato Local Government Area said the measure was meant to make public schools in the rural areas attractive and make pupils in such schools appear decent like their colleagues in private schools.

He said as the father of the state, he was bound to give a sense of belonging to all, noting that the gains of electricity could not be overemphasised, as it would create employment opportunities to the people.

The governor, who commended the contributions of the community in improving education, urged Abians to continue to pray for his government and promised not to disappoint them.

He promised to complete the third phase of the electricity project of the community as well as look into their health centre to make it functional by December this year.

Ochiama Ahiabuike, secretary general, Amiyi Obilohia Development Union, earlier in his speech, expressed gratitude to the governor for commissioning the phase 1 and 2 of the project and requested that the third phase be approved.

He further appealed to the governor to make their health centre functional as well as rehabilitate the Nkwonta-Nunya Road.

In another development, the governor flagged off the a 15-km Ogboro-Amibo–Acha Road in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, urging the contractor handling the project to deliver the job on schedule.

Speaking during the ceremony, he advised the contractor to channel all funds meant for the project into the job and should not give any gratification to anybody.

He expressed his determination to make things easier for the people, assuring the people that the Abia State Road Maintenance Agency would reconstruct the Akara–Abia State University Uturu (ABSU) Road, which is in bad state.

He called on the people of the state to intensify prayers for his administration, saying he was aware of the activities of enemies of democracy who build roads on the pages of newspapers and the social media.

Emma Nwaka, the PDP chairman in Abia, thanked Ikpeazu for coming to flag off the road in his community, stressing that the construction of the road was remarkable, as the road had never been tarred before.

He described the Ogboro-Amibo–Acha ring road as very important to the community and enumerated the gains derivable from the construction of the road.