ABIA STATE GOVT TO TRAIN 12,000 TEACHERS , CAUTIONS AGAINST SCH LAND GRABBING

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Twelve thousand teachers in public schools are to undergo massive capacity building training in Abia State this long vacation.

Announcing this to journalists at the Government House Umuahia after this Executive Council meeting, chaired by Governor Alex Otti, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, explained that the essence of the training was to prepare them for the new look, schools in the state would have as from September this year.

Prince Kanu further announced that a special committee to recover one hundred and eighty alienated and encumbered public schools in the state had been set up with the Chief of staff to the governor, Pastor Calab Ajagba, as chairman.

According to Prince Kanu, government will not tolerate greed by privileged individuals to take over land belonging to government schools.

He condemned misuse of schools handed back to different groups, stressing that such schools must be used for educational purposes.

Prince Kanu warned that henceforth, those driving without vehicle number plates or with hooded number plates would be apprehended and punished accordingly.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Monday Ikechukwu, said that government would soon resuscitate the rural electrification project, noting that fifty transformers would be distributed to select communities across the state.

Mr. Ikechukwu further stated that the revamping of Ariaria and Ubakala water projects would commence soon with the assistance of foreign partners.

Responding to questions, the Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, dismissed rumour making the rounds that the staff of office of the newly coroneted Eze Aro, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, had been withdrawn by the Abia State Government.

He also noted that the state government did not receive any court order to effect such removal.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU