Vulnerable residents in Abia State have received N1.2 billion in government support, with 81 groups benefiting from life-saving medical interventions, housing assistance, educational support and other social protection programmes.
UMUAHIA, Nigeria — The Abia State Government has disbursed N1.2 billion to support 81 vulnerable groups through life-saving medical interventions and other social protection programmes as part of its commitment to improving the welfare of disadvantaged residents.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday in Umuahia.
Kanu said the funds were disbursed between January and June 2026 through the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection in line with the state’s social protection framework.
According to him, the intervention covered life-saving medical treatments, housing assistance for persons with disabilities, emergency housing support for disaster victims and educational assistance for indigent students.
He said the ministry had continued to identify, assess and coordinate urgent medical and humanitarian support for vulnerable residents, while the administration had consistently approved intervention requests as part of its compassionate approach to governance.
The commissioner added that routine monitoring and follow-up visits to beneficiaries ensured accountability in the use of public funds, resulting in the recovery and refund of N20.9 million to the state treasury.
Kanu also disclosed that the Nchedo Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Aba recorded 11 cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) between July and August, providing survivors with medical, psychosocial, legal and referral services.
He said six suspects had been arrested in connection with the reported cases, while four had already been prosecuted.
On women empowerment, Kanu said Abia continued to make significant progress under the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Project, following Governor Alex Otti’s approval and payment of the state’s N450 million counterpart funding.
He explained that the programme, previously implemented in Ohafia, Isiala Ngwa North and Obingwa Local Government Areas, has now been expanded to Isiala Ngwa South, Ugwunagbo, Arochukwu, Bende, Ikwuano and Ukwa West LGAs.
According to him, the expansion is expected to increase the number of participating women affinity groups from 3,000 to 6,000 across the state.
He encouraged women in the benefiting local government areas to register with the State Project Implementation Unit to benefit from the initiative.
Providing updates on infrastructure, Kanu said the Ministry of Works had executed direct labour projects at 46 locations across the state.
He noted that desilting works had been completed along IBB Way, Ahieke Road, Finbarrs Road, Road 8 and Obowo Street by Ibeku Road in Umuahia to improve drainage and reduce flooding during the rainy season.
The commissioner further disclosed that 26 road projects are currently under contract across the state, adding that although heavy rains have slowed work on some sites, construction activities are expected to accelerate as weather conditions improve.
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