Newscenter Media News 
The Abia State Government has expressed dismay that proprietors of some of the 197 private schools that were recently shut down for various infractions have reopened without meeting the required minimum standards set for them.
The Commissioner for information and culture, Okey Kanu, who made this known at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting, warned the concerned proprietors to close the schools or face the full wrath of the law.
Kanu, who disclosed that renovation of three model schools selected in each of the three senatorial zone were ongoing, explained that the Abia State Government has directed principals and head teachers of public schools to refrain from renting out their premises to be used for various events.
“It has come to the notice of the State Government that despite repeated charges to them to refrain from doing so, some principals and heads of schools still go ahead to do that.
“It causes a lot of distraction to the students and we want to remind those who engage in these unwholesome acts to stop forthwith since the extant laws in this regard will be enforced if they continue to breach that directive.”
Also speaking, Abia State Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, emphasized that no school has the right to charge extra fees outside of the fees duly authorized by the state government, and therefore, encouraged parents to report all such cases to the Ministry of Education for action.
She assured primary school teachers who have salary issues with the previous administration that their concerns would soon be attended to as a meeting had been held in that regard.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the state, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, has denied the allegations that the proposed Arungwa trailer park in the state was a RUGA settlement.
Chukwumerije, who spoke on the outcome of the Executive Council meeting, explained that the project was meant to decongest traffic around the Osisioma Roundabout, Umuika Junction and Owerinta Bridge areas, as well as generate revenue for the state.
“It is a standard trailer park, it is not a settlement. It is a place of business,” Chukwumerije said.
The commissioner’s explanation was in response to allegations and fears among some concerned indigenes of the Arungwa area who claimed that the proposed trailer park may become a RUGA settlement.
Abia Govt kicks as closed private schools reopen for business