The Abia State Government has begun assessing the legal, healthcare, welfare and educational needs of inmates in correctional facilities in Aba and Umuahia as part of efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti at Government House, Umuahia.
Kanu said the assessment, conducted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, was aimed at identifying challenges facing inmates, particularly young people, and determining areas requiring government intervention.
He said the exercise covered access to legal assistance, bail support, medical care, family support and educational opportunities.
The government is also identifying inmates who require assistance to prepare for the First School Leaving Certificate Examination, FSLC, to enable them to continue their education while in custody.
Kanu said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to improving inmates’ welfare and equipping them with opportunities to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
On infrastructure, Kanu announced that road construction and maintenance were ongoing at 53 direct-labour project locations across the state, with four projects completed and seven additional projects added to the Ministry of Works’ maintenance programme.
Among the completed projects are the access road to Umuobia Housing Estate in Umuahia and Nnono Road in Ikwuano Local Government Area.
The government has also completed rainy-season maintenance on approximately 40.6 kilometres of Ururuka Road, which traverses Umuahia South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Obingwa local government areas.
Maintenance work has also been completed on Ohiya community road in Umuahia, according to the commissioner.
The seven additional projects include the construction of Ihie-Obegu Road in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area and the first phase of Nkwereonye-Umuogo Road at Ubakala in Umuahia South.
Others are erosion control works at Amaeke Afarata in Ibeku, rainy-season maintenance of Osisioma Flyover in Aba and maintenance of Umuahia-Bende Road.
Kanu further disclosed that contractors were handling 25 road projects across the state, adding that the first phase of Bende-Idima Road had been completed.
The government said the projects were designed to improve road conditions, strengthen connectivity between communities and ease transportation for residents and businesses.
In the sports sector, the state government announced plans to strengthen international sporting partnerships as Abia prepares to host La Liga Week from November 26 to December 26, 2026.
Kanu said the month-long programme would feature activities organised in collaboration with La Liga and its Spanish and Basque partners in Nigeria.
He said the initiative would provide opportunities to promote sports development, youth engagement and international cooperation.
According to him, the programme is expected to connect local sports stakeholders with international football development partners and open up opportunities for further collaboration.
The government said the initiative was part of its broader efforts to use sports to empower young people, discover emerging talents and promote social development across Abia State.
