Abia reopens schools, fixes dates for examinations

The Abia State government has approved the reopening of schools in the state for Monday 28th September, 2020.

Details of the government decisions were contained in a media briefing by the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu.

Below are details of his briefing:

Members of Abia State Executive Council (EXCO) met on Thursday, 24th September, 2020, under the Chairmanship of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD, and resolved as follows:

1. That primary and secondary schools in the state resume on Monday, 28th September, 2020, to complete the 3rd term of 2019/2020 academic session with one week of revision classes.

2.Third term (promotion) examination which is expected to start from Monday, 5th October to Friday, 16th October, 2020, will be used to assess pupils/students based on the tutorial from first and second term as well as the radio/television classroom program.

3. First term of 2020/21 session for primary and secondary schools in the state will start on 26th October, 2020, as teachers will go on one week break to enable them mark and compute promotional examination results. The term will end on the 23rd of December, 2020.

4. The Honorable Commissioner for Education, Dr K C K Nwangwa will publish other details related to school resumption including protocols to ensure the protection of school children from COVID-19 infection, approved fees chargeable by private schools and other guidelines.

5. Exco approved the resumption of Tertiary institutions in the state based on the time table and protocols submitted to the state government, as will be announced by the management of each school.

6. Exco noted improvements in internally generated revenue (IGR) collection and directed Abia State Internal Revenue Agency and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in the state to redouble efforts to ensure that the set target for 2020 is achieved regardless of the disruptions occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

7. Exco approved the establishment of road maintenance committees in all the Local Governments of the state to ensure the achievement of the zero pothole policy of the state government.

8. Exco approved the constitution of a committee that will oversee the transmutation of Abia State Road Maintenance Agency (ABROMA) to a limited liability company that will bid for road maintenance and construction jobs independent of government funding. Members of the Committee led by the Secretary to State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, include the Attorney General and Commssioner for Justice, Barr Uche Ihediwa, Commissioner for Works, Elder Bob Ogu and Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu.

9. Exco approved a new company to execute the Ohafia Golf Course project with a mandate to ensure the completion of the first phase of the project by 24th December, 2020.

10. Exco directed the Honorable Commissioner for Works to prioritize the rehabilitation of Ngwa-Emelogu-Opobo-Azumini Road with emphasis on Good Morning market market bridge.

11. Exco approved the award of the following contracts:

A. Construction of Omuma Road off Ama Ogbonna, Aba, with Rigid Pavement (Cement) Technology.

B. Reconstruction of Awoja-Akoli-Ngodo-Imennyi Road, Bende LGA.

C. Reconstruction of Akalanna Street, off Okigwe Road, Aba North LGA.

D. Reconstruction/Rehabilitation of Ofeme Empire Road, Ofeme Town, Umuahia North, LGA.

E. Rehabilitation of Nbawsi Road from King Jerry Mortuary to Railway Crossing in isiala Ngwa North LGA.

F. Reconstruction of Milverton Avenue-Chisco Lane-Ojike Lane, Aba, with drainages, in Aba South LGA.

G. Overlay of Okigwe Road in Aba.

H. Construction of Ahunnanya Street in Obingwa LGA with rigid pavement technology.

12. Exco approved the procurement of the following to support the fight against COVID-19:

i. Mobile laboratory to cover all the LGAs in addition to existing testing laboratories in the state.

ii. Mobile medical theater to cover the state.

iii. COVID-19 intervention materials for ABSUTH and College of Health Sciences and Management, Aba.

iv. COVID-19 sample collection materials for all the primary health care centers in the state.

13. Exco approved classification of all hotels in the state by the state ministry of tourism as well as the development of tourism sites in the state with emphasis on Arochukwu Long Juju and Azumini Blue River.

14. Exco approved the partial commencement of non-contact sports in the state.

15. Exco expressed support for the planned local government elections in the state and urged Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) to ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.