NEWS
ABIA STATE GOVT SET TO COMMISSION NEW MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY AS STATE EXECUTES 50 DIRECT-LABOUR PROJECTS
In a renewed push to enhance infrastructure quality and safety across Abia State, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, has announced that the newly installed Materials Testing Laboratory is fully ready and will soon be commissioned.
According to him, the facility is designed to play a crucial role in curbing incidents of building collapse by ensuring that construction materials used across the state meet required standards.
Prince Kanu made this known on Monday during a media briefing at Government House Umuahia, where he addressed journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Providing further updates on infrastructure development, he revealed that the Ministry of Works is currently handling direct-labour projects in 50 locations across the state. Out of these, five have already been completed, while seven additional sites have recently been added to the ministry’s maintenance schedule.
The completed projects include repairs on internal roads at the Federal Medical Centre spanning 2.1km, the construction of Road 11 at the Low-Cost Housing Estate, and the maintenance of the Bende–Itumbuzo Road Phase 1. Others are repairs on Enugu–Ugwu Road, the World Bank Housing Estate roads, and works on Health Centre Road within the World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia.
He also highlighted the newly added direct-labour projects, which include upgrades on Ikonne Street in Aba, Nzeadibe Street in Umuahia, and a road within Mater Dei Catholic Cathedral, Umuahia, among others. He emphasized that all contractors have been instructed to fast-track their work and take full advantage of the dry season to ensure the completion of most projects before the rains return.
Prince Kanu reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to restoring infrastructure, improving safety standards, and delivering sustainable development across all parts of
Abia State.