Abia begins demolition, reconstruction of college of health sciences

The Abia State Government has declared that demolition and reconstruction activities will begin this week at the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology in Aba, as part of its ongoing initiative to revamp state-owned tertiary institutions.

This information was revealed in a statement released on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Njoku Ukoha.

The statement indicated that many of the college’s buildings, which are over 70 years old and in a dilapidated condition, will be demolished and rebuilt to enhance the learning environment for students.

"Recently, I shared the current deteriorated condition of the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba," Ukoha mentioned in the statement.

He noted that this intervention is in line with Governor Alex Otti’s pledge to restore and renovate all state-owned tertiary institutions throughout Abia State.

"In accordance with Governor Otti’s promise to restore and renovate all state-owned tertiary institutions, demolition will commence on site within the week, and the majority of the college’s dilapidated structures, which have been neglected by previous administrations for over 70 years, will be rebuilt to foster a better learning environment for students," the statement indicated.

Ukoha also mentioned that visual prototypes of the planned structures have been released to provide the public with a glimpse of what the institution will look like upon completion.

"Here is the prototype of the college once it is finished," he remarked.

The statement also enumerated other tertiary institutions that are currently undergoing transformation under the Otti administration.

As per Ukoha, the Abia State College of Education (Technical) in Arochukwu has been "completely transformed," while Abia State University in Uturu is "under significant rehabilitation, reconstruction, and construction."

He also mentioned that the temporary site of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, has been transformed, while the permanent site is currently experiencing "extensive construction in anticipation of relocation."

Furthermore, the statement indicated that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, is presently "undergoing significant construction and enhancement."

Ukoha stated that the redevelopment of the College of Health Sciences, Aba, is a component of a larger initiative by the state government aimed at addressing years of neglect in the education sector and repositioning public institutions to enhance academic standards and service delivery.