The Abia State Government has disclosed plans to soon commence the third batch (Cohort 3) of its Techrise youth empowerment programme, a digital skills initiative designed to equip young people in the state with technology knowledge and practical competencies.
The programme, which focuses on capacity building in digital technology, is part of the administration’s broader plan to strengthen youth empowerment and prepare young Abians for opportunities in the digital economy.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the plan on Monday while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, following the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to him, the new batch will continue the progress already made under the first two phases of the programme.
Kanu disclosed that a registration portal will soon be opened for interested applicants, while additional details regarding the schedule and application process will be released by the state government.
“The state government will soon launch the Cohort 3 of its Techrise youth empowerment programme, which is part of the strategic empowerment of Abia youths through capacity building in digital technology,” he said.
He explained that the programme has already trained a significant number of young people across the state in digital skills.
“So far, about 1,350 young Abians have been trained under Cohorts 1 and 2 of the Abia Techrise programme,” Kanu stated.
The government believes the initiative will help young people gain relevant technological skills that can open up employment opportunities and support entrepreneurship within the digital sector.
While speaking further on developments in the state, the Commissioner also provided updates on Abia’s mass transit and urban transportation initiative.
He announced that the state government has successfully transitioned its Green Shuttle transport system from a free service to a commercial fare-paying scheme.
According to him, the transition began on March 1, 2026, with the state government providing a subsidy to keep the service affordable for commuters.
“The subsidy applies to all inter- and intra-city routes currently being operated under the bus service scheme,” he said.
Kanu noted that the decision to commercialise the transport system was taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.
“The transition marks a critical step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of the scheme,” he explained.
He further revealed that the transport system now operates with an electronic ticketing platform known as the Abia Connect Card.
Under the arrangement, commuters are required to obtain the Abia Connect Card before they can access the service.
However, the state government has made it mandatory for residents to first obtain the Abia State Social Insurance Number (ABSSIN) before they can receive the transport card.
“With the commercialisation of the mass transit scheme with e-ticketing permits to Abia Connect Card, obtaining the Abia State Social Insurance Number becomes a conditional precedent for obtaining the Abia Connect Card,” Kanu said.
To make the process easier for residents, the state government has deployed registration teams to bus stops and shelters across major urban areas.
According to the Commissioner, enumerators responsible for ABSSIN registration are already stationed at designated locations to assist commuters who wish to enrol in the system.
“ABSSIN enumerators have been posted to various bus shelters and designated areas to help register commuters,” he said.
He added that agents responsible for uploading funds to the Abia Connect Cards have also been stationed at the same locations.
“Similarly, the touch and pay agents that upload funds into the Abia Connect Cards have been deployed to various bus shelters and designated areas in Aba and Umuahia,” he stated.
Providing additional details, Kanu said the government has already constructed several bus shelters to support the mass transit initiative.
“The total number of bus shelters so far is 70. Umuahia has 30 bus shelters, while Aba has 40 bus shelters,” he said.
According to him, all 30 shelters in Umuahia are currently operational, while 38 of the 40 shelters in Aba are already in use.
“Two will soon be completed for operations,” he added.
The Commissioner also revealed that thousands of residents have already benefited from the state’s mass transit programme since it was introduced.
“A total number of 202,601 passengers have enjoyed the mass transit bus service from the rollout date of December 24, 2025 to March 8, 2026,” he disclosed.
Kanu also highlighted progress recorded in the state’s road infrastructure development.
He announced that the third and final stretch of the Uzuakoli–Akara–Ohafia road project has been completed.
“The 22.5 kilometres of the third and final stretch of the Uzuakoli–Akara–Ohafia road has been completed,” he said.
The Commissioner added that construction work under various contracts is currently ongoing at 31 different locations across the state.
He further noted that additional road projects are being executed through direct labour under the supervision of the Ministry of Works.
According to him, direct labour works are currently ongoing at 49 locations statewide.
Kanu disclosed that one road project was recently completed through this approach.
“The completed direct labour work is the reconstruction of the Madona Hospital Road, off Aba Road here in Umuahia. It is a 1.25 kilometre road,” he said.
He added that four additional road projects have now been added to the ministry’s maintenance and construction portfolio.
These include the construction of the 1 kilometre Okporoenyi–Isiegbu Road in Bende and the 4.71 kilometre Akara–Ovim Road in Isuikwuato Local Government Area.
Other projects involve the maintenance of failed sections of the 8.6 kilometre Obinulo–Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwoagu–Isochi road in Umunneochi Local Government Area as well as sections of the 5.2 kilometre Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwoagu–Mbala–Isuochi road.
