Tinubu To Visit Abia On May 29 To Commission Port Harcourt Road, Unveil $1.3 Billion Medical City — Gov Otti

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to visit Abia State on May 29 to commission the newly reconstructed 6.5km Port Harcourt Road in Aba and flag off the ambitious $1.3 billion Abia Medical City project, Governor Alex Otti announced during a media briefing on Wednesday night.

The Port Harcourt Road project, executed by Julius Berger and initiated shortly after Otti took office in 2023, is now complete and will be officially handed over to the state’s Ministry of Works within a week.

Governor Otti also disclosed that President Tinubu’s visit will mark the groundbreaking of the Abia Medical City a signature project aimed at curbing medical tourism and positioning the state as a healthcare hub for Nigeria and the West African sub-region. The facility is projected to generate $200 million in annual revenue for the state.

“We are committed to transforming Abia’s healthcare system,” Otti said, noting that 103 of the 200 ongoing renovations of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have reached 70% completion, while additional PHCs are being upgraded with support from the World Bank. He also confirmed the recruitment of more health workers to address the sector’s staffing needs.

On education, the governor revealed that enrollment in public schools has surged to 700,000, credited to the administration’s free and compulsory education policy from primary to Junior Secondary School 3. To meet growing demands, the state is hiring 4,000 more teachers, on top of the 5,000 already being recruited, with a focus on science, math, and tech-based training.

Responding to reports of unpaid pensions at Abia State University (ABSU), Otti said he was unaware of such claims and has ordered an investigation. He added that a newly approved 5,000-bed hostel at ABSU would be completed within three months, with ongoing renovations of existing hostels underway.

Governor Otti thanked Abians for their support and promised even greater developmental strides in the months ahead.