Abia ranks among top states in revenue, capital growth – Report

The Abia State Government has said it recorded significant fiscal and infrastructural progress between 2017 and 2026, with the state now ranked among the top performers nationally in revenue growth, capital spending and service delivery.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Citing the 2026 Budget Report and the Phillips Consulting State Performance Index, Kanu said Abia was ranked second in aggregate revenue growth and third in IGR growth nationwide.

He added that the state also ranked first in total expenditure growth, first in capital expenditure growth and first in personnel expenditure growth, while keeping overhead costs comparatively low.

He said, “Both reports point in the same direction. Abia State is improving rapidly. The report places Abia as the 3rd fastest improving state with a score of 0.67 basis points, behind Enugu with 1.15 basis points and Jigawa with 0.77 basis points.”

He attributed the performance to “adroit management of resources and prudent management,” noting the state’s combination of revenue mobilisation, capital investment expansion and administrative cost restraint.

While acknowledging peer reviews, Kanu said the government’s focus remained on serving Abia citizens.

“All that the state government is really interested in is to serve the interests of Abia citizens in the best possible way with focus on what is best and dignifying for Abia citizens,” he said.

The commissioner also announced that the state, through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, would distribute three million and 30 treated insecticide-treated nets, ITNs, worth over ₦1bn across the 17 LGAs this September.

He noted that this was the first mass net campaign in the state since 2010 and was part of efforts to reduce the malaria burden and associated deaths.

Kanu also said the Community-Based Health Insurance Programme was gaining momentum, with 270,739 enrollees recorded so far.

He announced the formal launch of the Ameke Community Scheme for September 16, 2026, where 1,000 individuals would be enrolled at ₦18,000 per person, representing an initial outlay of ₦18m.

He added that the recruitment portal for additional medical personnel, including consultants, medical officers and dental officers, remained open.

The commissioner also confirmed that there were no reported cases of Ebola, Lassa fever, COVID-19, diphtheria, cholera, Mpox or yellow fever in the state during the period under review.

On infrastructure, Kanu revealed that the government had signed an MoU with the Nigerian Railway Corporation for the construction of a 200-metre road extension from Bende Road, linking to Umuwaya Road by Post Office Tower, through the railway crossing to Library Avenue areas.

“The state will also reconstruct the abandoned road from First Bank to Keystone Bank to ease traffic around Okpara Avenue”, he said.

Kanu equally announced that the Emede-Ibeku Flood Patrol Project had recorded major milestones: site clearing had been completed, embankment was at 90 per cent, while drainage excavation and concreting were at 80 per cent each.

Properties with structural defects had been sealed off as a safety measure.

The commissioner stated that the expansion of ticketing facilities and installation of solar mini-grid carports for 24-hour power were ongoing at 60 per cent completion at Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia, with a target completion date of December 2026.

He said the Abia Green Shuttle Bus Service had conveyed a total of 560,784 passengers to date.

“Between December 2025 and February 2026, during free ridership, 196,950 passengers were recorded. From commercialisation in March to August 2026, 303,834 passengers enjoyed subsidised fares.

“This is an indication that a lot of Abians and residents are using the bus services and taking advantage of the exquisite services being rendered,” Kanu said.