Governor Alex Otti of Abia has said that the state government will soon make a pronouncement on a new retirement age for nurses in the state from 60 years to 65 years.
Mr Otti said this on Friday night at the Government House, Umuahia, during his monthly interactive session with journalists.
He said the measure was part of the government’s resolve to revamp the health sector, being one of the priority areas of his administration.
He said that the government had already extended the retirement age of teachers from 60 years to 65 years.
Also, the governor said that the government had concluded arrangements to set up a state-of-the-art medical city.
Mr Otti said that the project committee had been established, and the location had already been identified.
He said the government would collaborate with two groups of international medical missions, namely, Extended Hands and Lifted Hands organisations, to realise the project.
“We are committing everything to it because it is going to be one of our signature projects.
“The whole idea is to reverse medical tourists into Abia,” Otti said.
He further said that the government under his watch had so far been able to operate without borrowing any money.
According to him, the government has quite a few offers that are tempting, and we believe that at the appropriate time, we will access them.
“We are working on African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank Group facilities.
“The terms are generous and we believe that when we need them we will be able to access any of them.
“I can say that the state of the state is healthy, but we will continue to keep our eye on the ball,” the governor said.
READ ALSO: Why Abia workers experienced more salary deductions – Governor Otti
He also spoke on the modest achievements so far made in different sectors of the state, including agriculture.
He said the government had successfully recovered the palm, rubber, cocoa, and other plantations that previous administrations had concessioned to private individuals.
The governor thanked the state’s residents for their support and urged them to continue contributing to building a new Abia.
(NAN)
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