NEWS
Abia Citizens’ Engagement Centre Ready for Commissioning as Otti Led-administration Deepens Digital Governance
The Abia State Government (ABSG) has announced that the Citizens’ Engagement Centre is fully ready for commissioning by the State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen citizens’ participation, improve service delivery, and deepen transparency in governance.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu explained that the establishment of the centre represents another significant step by the administration towards building a more responsive and citizen-focused government, noting that the initiative was approved by Governor Otti as a robust, technology-enabled platform designed to facilitate real-time engagement between government and the public.
According to the Commissioner, the Citizens’ Engagement Centre will serve as a central platform where residents can communicate directly with government, submit concerns, seek information, and provide feedback on issues affecting their communities.
He stated that the centre would aggregate inquiries, complaints, suggestions, and feedback from citizens and channel them to the appropriate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for prompt resolution, particularly on matters of public interest.
The Information Commissioner further revealed that beyond improving government responsiveness, the centre will also function as a strategic data collection and processing hub that will assist government institutions in evidence-based policymaking, programme evaluation, and effective feedback management.
Also speaking, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to the Governor, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, disclosed that the state government is partnering with MTN to achieve network densification across the state, ensuring improved connectivity and wider access to digital communication platforms.
Mr. Ilukwe clarified that the initiative is not designed as a physical work-in facility but as a modern contact centre that allows citizens to interact with government through various digital and communication channels.
According to him, residents will be able to access government services, lodge complaints, make inquiries, provide feedback, and receive responses without the need to travel to a physical location.
“Communication channels will include telephone calls, emails, WhatsApp, and other digital platforms,“ he said.
He noted that the centre is structured to operate in line with modern customer service systems used by banks, telecommunications companies, and airlines, where customers interact remotely through efficient communication channels rather than physical visits.
The Citizens’ Engagement Centre is expected to enhance the relationship between the Abia State Government and its citizens by creating a faster, easier, and more transparent pathway for communication and public participa
tion in governance.