Abia Govt Moves to Revive Four Key Industries, Expands Healthcare Access
The Abia State government has declared its readiness to breathe life back into four long-abandoned industries in Aba — Aba Textile Mills, International Equitable Industries, Afro Beverages, and Star Paper Mills.
The state commissioner for information, Okey Kanu, spoke to PulseNets after Monday’s Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Umuahia. He confirmed that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) had approved Abia’s takeover of Star Paper Mills, a major breakthrough in the state’s industrial revitalisation drive.
According to him, “Once we recover the company, our plan is to revitalise it and other moribund industries in Aba before transferring them to private sector investors.” He emphasised that while private players will manage the firms, the government would retain significant shares to ensure Abians are not exploited.
Mr Kanu told PulseNets that the focus of this revival is twofold: creating thousands of jobs for the people of Abia and generating revenue that strengthens the state’s economy.
Health Insurance Scheme Surpasses 2025 Target
On healthcare reforms, the commissioner reported that the Abia Health Insurance Scheme had already surpassed its 2025 enrolment target with 103,076 registered beneficiaries. He described the achievement as “a strong vote of confidence in the government’s efforts to deliver affordable healthcare for residents.”
He added that registration for informal sector workers under the scheme would soon be rolled out to deepen coverage and reach grassroots communities.
New Health Agencies and Primary Healthcare Centres
In its bid to improve healthcare delivery, Abia has established two new agencies: the Abia Drug and Medical Commodities Management Agency and the Department of Nutrition within the Ministry of Health. These agencies, Mr Kanu explained, are designed to address the state’s medical and nutritional needs more effectively.
He further told PulseNets that under Project Ekwueme, the state had completed 121 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), with 17 already operational and delivering services. Another 33 PHCs are undergoing equipment installation, while 50 more will be activated during the project’s third phase.
Abia, with roughly 948 PHCs, is rehabilitating them in batches. A new phase of the rehabilitation project is scheduled to begin in October. The commissioner pointed out that “the rise in the number of residents using our health facilities is a clear sign that people now trust the system.”
He attributed this increase to improvements in medical equipment and staffing across the health sector.
Environmental Sanitation and Policy on Health & Safety
Turning to environmental health, Mr Kanu revealed that the state Ministry of Environment had, since August 1, commenced house-to-house sanitary inspections across the 17 LGAs. The exercise, he noted, is part of efforts to encourage best hygiene practices.
“Anyone found defaulting will be prosecuted according to the Abia State Environmental Laws,” he stressed.
Additionally, the Executive Council approved the Abia Health, Safety and Environment Policy, which seeks to safeguard the welfare of civil servants. The policy, obtained by PulseNets, has already received Governor Alex Otti’s approval for implementation.
Also Read: Abia: Health workers back Governor Otti for suspending commissioner
With these moves, Abia State is positioning itself as a hub of industrial revival and improved healthcare services, blending economic growth with citizen welfare in a way observers believe could become a model for other Nigerian states.
