Abia to Launch Techrise Cohort 3, Expands Digital Training for Youths

The Abia State Government has intensified efforts to empower young people through digital technology training, with plans to launch Cohort 3 of its Techrise Youth Empowerment Programme.

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

Kanu said about 1,350 youths had already been trained under Cohorts 1 and 2 of the Abia Techrise programme. According to him, many of the beneficiaries are now employed in various organisations, while others have established their own businesses.

He added that a registration portal would soon be opened for interested participants, noting that further details on the programme would be announced in due course.

Providing updates on the state’s mass transit and urban transportation initiative, code-named the “Green Shuttle,” Kanu said the scheme has successfully transitioned into a commercial fare-paying service since March 1, 2026.

He explained that Governor Alex Otti approved a 50 per cent fare subsidy to support commuters using the service.

According to him, a total of 202,601 passengers have utilised the mass transit buses between December 24, 2025, when the scheme was launched, and March 8, 2026.

“The subsidy applies to all inter- and intra-city routes currently being operated under the bus service scheme,” Kanu said.

He noted that the transition to a commercial service was designed to ensure the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of the programme.

Kanu further explained that with the commercialisation of the mass transit system, commuters would now be required to obtain the Abia Connect Card through the e-ticketing platform.

He added that acquiring the Abia State Social Insurance Number (ABSSIN) has become a prerequisite for obtaining the Abia Connect Card.

According to him, the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with other state agencies including the Harmonised Task Force, Homeland Security and the Abia State Road Traffic Management Agency, has been engaging stakeholders in the transport sector.

He said the agencies have also been conducting joint sensitisation and enforcement exercises at bus stops and shelters across the state to educate commuters on the new system.

To ease the registration process, Kanu said ABSSIN enumerators had been deployed to designated bus shelters and other locations to assist commuters with registration. Agents responsible for funding the Abia Connect Cards through the touch-and-pay system have also been stationed at major bus shelters in Aba and Umuahia.

He disclosed that the state currently has 70 bus shelters, with 30 located in Umuahia and 40 in Aba.

According to him, all 30 shelters in Umuahia are already operational, while 38 out of the 40 shelters in Aba are in use, with the remaining two nearing completion.

Kanu also provided updates on road infrastructure projects across the state, revealing that the 22.5-kilometre third and final section of the Uzuakoli–Akara–Ohafia Road has been completed, while construction work is ongoing at 31 locations across the state.

He added that direct labour projects are currently being executed at 49 locations.

According to him, one project was completed during the period under review, while four additional projects have been included in the maintenance schedule of the Ministry of Works.

“The completed project is the reconstruction of the 1.25-kilometre Madonna Hospital Road, off Aba Road in Umuahia,” he said.

Kanu listed the newly added projects to include the construction of a one-kilometre Okporoenyi–Isiegbu Road in Bende, the 4.71-kilometre Akara–Ovim Road in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, and the maintenance of failed sections of the 8.6-kilometre Obinulo–Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwoagu–Isochi Road in Umunneochi Local Government Area.

He also mentioned the maintenance of sections of the 5.2-kilometre Nkwoagu Junction–Nkwoagu–Mbala–Isuochi Road, also in Umunneochi Local Government Area.

Speaking further on the transport initiative, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, described the scheme as still being at the pilot stage, noting that it would continue to improve over time.

They said the introduction of the transport system was aimed at reducing the high cost of transportation and curbing the exploitation of commuters and traders by commercial vehicle operators.

According to them, the initiative would also help reduce illegal levies and extortion often imposed on commercial vehicle drivers and tricycle operators, while boosting economic activities across the state.