The Abia State Government has unveiled fresh infrastructure plans, including a proposed railway development in Umuahia, as part of a broader strategy to modernise transportation, improve urban planning and boost housing delivery across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made the disclosure after a State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, according to an official statement released on Monday.
Kanu said discussions between the state government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had progressed significantly, with plans underway for the construction of a modern railway station in Umuahia.
He explained that the proposed station would be sited close to the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal and developed as part of an integrated transport system linking rail services with commercial and retail facilities.
According to him, the project is designed to enhance mobility within the state capital while stimulating economic activity around the transport hub.
“The proposed train station will be located adjacent to the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal and will be designed as a modern urban rail corridor integrated with commercial and retail activities,” Kanu said.
He added that access roads and supporting infrastructure would also be developed to ensure seamless connectivity within the area.
The rail project forms part of a wider urban renewal agenda being implemented by the state government to address congestion and improve the aesthetics and functionality of Umuahia.
As part of the renewal plan, Kanu said the Umuahia Capital Development Authority had concluded arrangements to relocate traders from Isi Gate to the Relief Market in Afara.
He noted that compensation had been paid to affected landowners, while fencing and retaining wall construction at the new market site had already been completed, with other works ongoing.
He also disclosed that commercial transport operators currently operating at Okigwe Park would be moved to the newly constructed central bus terminal, while traders would temporarily occupy the park pending full completion of the Afara market.
Kanu further stated that the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal was nearing completion and would soon be commissioned alongside components of the Abia Green Shuttle Bus Scheme.
He said the terminal would include modern facilities such as charging stations, ticketing systems, improved road junctions, and designated bus shelters spread across the city.
“When fully operational, the central bus terminal and the Green Shuttle Bus Scheme will significantly improve public transportation and place Umuahia among cities with modern transit systems in Nigeria,” he said.
Beyond the capital city, the government also highlighted progress in other parts of the state. According to Kanu, several projects undertaken by the Greater Ohafia Development Authority are ready for commissioning. These include new road infrastructure and a daily market in Ohafia aimed at boosting local commerce.
On housing development, he announced that preliminary work for a Federal Housing Authority estate in Umuahia would commence on April 21, 2026. The project, he said, is being executed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing.
Clarifying reports suggesting that the initiative was solely a federal project, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the state government played a key role in facilitating the development.
He stressed that the project should be viewed as a joint effort aimed at improving housing availability rather than a political point of contention.
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