In furtherance to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s approval for the constitution of Human Capital Development Council in the State, today, the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem inaugurated the council at the Conference Hall.
Ezem who also doubles as the chairman of the council, noted that the State is taking major steps aimed at reducing poverty and positively impacting vulnerable Abians while also rejigging Abia’s workforce for better productivity, efficiency and effectiveness. The council will liaise with heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies to drive the necessary change needed in all sectors of the State.
The SSG charged members to deliver on the job description which includes; community engagements, design and implementing of human capital development interventions, determining priorities and targets for the HCD implementation process, and promoting alignment by getting the buy-in of the private and public sectors etc.
In her brief address, Executive Secretary and focal person for Abia State Human Capital Development Project Dr. Joy Wokocha, explained that HCD is a programme targeted at taking human capacity development to rural communities as well as improve workforce of the State through training and capacity building for greater productivity. According to her, HCD is a joint project of the Federal Government and World Bank through ECOWAS. She also noted that States are expected to satisfy some basic conditions before approval is given by the Federal Government and therefore announced that Abia and Enugu States were selected respectively for the first phase of funding by the Federal Government.
In her vote of thanks, Secretary of the Council, Deaconess Franca Ekwueme thanked Abia Government for the opportunity to serve and assured on behalf of the council that they will be good ambassadors of the Government.
Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Osuji, Commissioner for Basic Education Chief Ukwu Rocks, Commissioner for Youth Dev. Barr. Charles Esonu etc attended the inauguration meeting.
