Otti Set to Launch Bold 25-Year Masterplan as Abia Records Stunning N2.5bn Savings in Healthcare

Abia State Government has approved a new 25 Year Development Plan, a long term blueprint designed to reshape the state’s economic and social future in a decisive and sustained manner.

According to a press release by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the approval followed the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council held on Monday, December 9, 2025, and presided over by Governor Alex Otti, OFR.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, confirmed that the plan will be officially unveiled on December 16. He said the development roadmap is anchored on six key pillars: people and resources; growth and stability; sustainable economy; social infrastructure and inclusion; governance and reform; and cross sector linkages.

Kanu explained that the document provides a clear pathway for economic resilience, modern infrastructure development, global investment attraction and long term social stability.

Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Kingsley Anosike, said the blueprint is backed by legislation to guarantee continuity across successive administrations. He noted that this marks a sharp departure from the previous 30 Year Plan developed in 2020 which had no legal support.

Anosike said the review was also necessary because the earlier plan was “heavily influenced by the uncertainties of the COVID 19 era” and no longer reflected present economic realities. He added that the updated framework captures shifts in global markets and domestic economic changes recorded in the last five years.

On healthcare, EXCO disclosed that partnerships between the Ministry of Health and several global organisations have saved Abia more than N2.5 billion in medical costs. The partners include Revive Belgium, ProHealth, Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Living Hope Foundation and the Niger Delta Development Commission.

EXCO further announced that the Abia Global Medical Mission, in collaboration with the Abia State Diaspora Council and the Ministry of Health, will take place from December 15 to 20 and will deliver widespread free medical services across the state.

The Council also confirmed Abia’s selection as the first pilot state in the Federal Civil Service Commission National Strategic Plan aimed at transforming public service career management nationwide. The state’s Human Resource Management Information System was also adopted as a model for other states.

On project updates, government stated that 81 of the 200 primary healthcare centres under the first phase of Project Ekwueme have already been functionalised. The remaining centres will be completed in the new year. It added that the Round 2 Maternal and Childbirth Programme, implemented with the Office of the Wife of the Governor and relevant ministries, would be flagged off on Tuesday.

In addition, the National Malaria Elimination Programme is setting up a vector surveillance laboratory at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, to strengthen disease monitoring and response across the state.

On technology and youth innovation, EXCO announced the commencement of the Abia Startathon, a statewide innovation hackathon taking place at the UNDP built Unipod at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture. The event will feature the launch of the Abia Technology Startup Law, while the Ministry of Agriculture will unveil the Abia Agricultural Dynamic Database System (Abia ADDS) to deepen data driven agricultural planning.

Addressing concerns over reported kidnapping and a hijacked bus along the Owerrinta Airport Road, Special Adviser Ekeoma said “there is no confirmed case of a hijacked vehicle.” He noted that Abia and Imo States have already launched a joint security operation on the route and arrested suspects linked to an earlier attack.

He assured residents that Governor Otti remains fully committed to securing lives and property across the state as the festive season approaches.