Abia converts hotel, CSC office to estates, denies discrimination in smart schools’ admission

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Abia State Government said it is converting its hotel in the state capital, the former Abia Hotels, located on Finbars Road, Umuahia, to a residential estate.

Also to wear the same toga is the former State Civil Service Commission office in Umuahia, whose structure had already been demolished and cleared for the purpose.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Umuahia.  He said the measure was part of the Governor Alex Otti  administration’s plan to provide functional and affordable housing for Abia residents.
Kanu informed that the state administration was committed to addressing the housing challenges facing the citizens of the state, which necessitated the conversion of the former government’s facilities to housing units.
He disclosed that the lands at the former Civil Service Commission and Abia Hotels have already been parcellated for the projects.

“The old civil service area has been successfully cleared and parcellated. The Abia Hotels area, on the other hand, will be ready within a fortnight for parcellating and allotment to contractors,” Kanu said.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, has dismissed allegations that admission into the state’s Smart Schools favoured children of government officials and affluent families, describing the claims as false.

Ekeoma revealed that the present administration had consistently demonstrated its commitment to transparency and merit, pointing to the abolition of practices such as the “Governor’s List” and “Government House List” in admissions into tertiary institutions, as evidence of the government’s resolve to restore integrity and merit to the education sector.