Abia State executive council has approved the upgrading of three Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and two colleges in the State to universities.
Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, according to the State government, is to be upgraded to Abia State University of Science and Technology, Aba while Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu is to be upgraded to Abia State University of Education, Arochukwu.
Abia State College of Health Sciences, Aba is to be raised to Abia State University of Science and Management, Aba.
However, all the proposals have to be approved by the Abia State House of Assembly before they are implemented. The development was contained in the outcome of the executive council meeting, held at the Government House, Umuahia and made known to newsmen on Tuesday.
The meeting, chaired by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu also directed the bifurcation of Abia State ministry of education into ministry of education and ministry of post-basic education.
The council also approved the change of names of Boys College, Aba and Government Technical College, Afara, to be known now as Government Technical College, Aba and Government Technical College, Afara, respectively.
Modalities for payment of outstanding salaries owed staff of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and teachers in the State’s secondary school system, were also discussed.
The State government equally directed the expedition of procurement process for the establishment of Abia State automated garment factory in Aba, explaining that 500 new jobs are to be created in the garment factory by December, 2021 at take off.
The executive council also approved special funding for Abia State scholarship board to deliver more foreign scholarships to desiring Abia students.
In area of infrastructure, the Abia State government approved further release of funds to the new Government House building project in Umuahia as well as expedition of works on JAAC building, also in Umuahia.
