Tinubu Set To Unveil $1.3 Billion Abia Medical City, Commission Aba Road – Gov Otti Drops Bombshell

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to visit Abia State before May 29 to commission the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt Road in Aba and officially kick-start the $1.3 billion Abia Medical City project.

Governor Alex Otti disclosed this during a media briefing in Umuahia on Wednesday night, stating that the 6.5-kilometre road—rebuilt by construction giant Julius Berger—has been completed and will soon be handed over to the State Ministry of Works.

The reconstruction commenced shortly after Otti assumed office in 2023, with the initial project timeline set at two years.

During the interaction, Governor Otti confirmed that President Tinubu will also perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the Abia Medical City, describing it as a flagship initiative of his government. The facility aims to curb outbound medical tourism by offering top-tier healthcare and is expected to become a major referral centre for West Africa, potentially generating over $200 million annually for the state.

On healthcare reforms, Otti noted that 103 of the 200 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) currently being renovated are nearing 70% completion. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalise all 900 PHCs statewide, with an additional 68 to be upgraded through World Bank support. Upgrades are also underway in several general hospitals.

To bolster healthcare delivery, the state has approved the recruitment of new medical personnel, with salaries already factored into the budget to address workforce gaps.

Speaking on education, the governor highlighted the success of the administration’s free and compulsory basic education policy, which has led to a surge in enrolment to over 700,000 pupils. To meet demand, 4,000 new teachers are being hired, complementing an ongoing recruitment of 5,000, with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

On concerns over unpaid pensions for retirees of Abia State University (ABSU), Otti said he was previously unaware but has directed the Commissioner for Tertiary Education to investigate and provide a report.

He also assured that the newly approved 5,000-bed hostel for ABSU will be completed within three months, with ongoing renovations to existing hostels aimed at enhancing student welfare.

Governor Otti concluded by thanking Abians for their continued support and pledged to deliver even more transformative projects in the coming months.