Governor Alex Otti of Abia has established a committee to reclaim 180 alienated and encumbered public schools in the state.
The Abia Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at the Government House, Umuahia, during a briefing on the outcome of the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
Kanu announced that the committee will be chaired by the Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, with the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Eme Uche-Eme, serving as the Secretary.
Other members include the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ikechukwu Uwana, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzo Nwachukwu, and the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuoh.
The General Manager of the Greater Aba Development Agency (GADA), Mr. Uche Ukeje, and the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr. Ken Nwosu, are also part of the committee.
Kanu stated that the committee’s terms of reference include identifying and recovering the 180 alienated and encumbered schools in the state.
“As the government progresses with education sector reforms, it will not tolerate the greed of a privileged few who have, over time, surreptitiously acquired lands belonging to schools.
“The State Government condemns the misuse and misapplication of schools handed over to missions and various organizations. Such schools must be used exclusively for educational activities,” Kanu emphasized.
The government advised organizations incapable of properly operating the schools to return them to the state.
Kanu also mentioned that a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the educational sector in Abia has been completed, and consultants working with the education commissioner on school curricula have finished their tasks.
“Our 12,000 teachers across the state will undergo extensive training during this summer break to prepare them for the newly reformed schools we will have starting in September 2024,” Kanu added.