By Isaac Mission 

Abia State has recorded a 77 per cent telecommunications coverage rate following collaboration between the state government and MTN Nigeria Limited, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, has disclosed.

Kanu made the disclosure during a media engagement with journalists in Umuahia, where he explained that network services had recently been extended to several communities that previously experienced poor or limited connectivity.

According to the commissioner, residents of the newly covered areas can now access improved voice and internet services.

He, however, raised concerns about the vandalisation of telecommunications facilities and fibre infrastructure in some parts of the state, particularly Aba. He said the destruction of the facilities had affected efforts to restore the state to its target of near-total network coverage.

Kanu said MTN was already working to repair the damaged infrastructure and recover the level of coverage previously achieved.

He appealed to residents and community leaders to protect telecommunications installations, stressing that the infrastructure was provided for the benefit of people living and doing business in the state.

The commissioner expressed confidence that the affected network sites would be restored in the coming weeks, paving the way for coverage to return to 100 per cent.

Among the areas that have benefited from recent network expansion are sections of Aba-Umuahia Road in Isiala Ngwa South, Umuako Health Centre in Isiala Ngwa North, the St Theresa’s School axis in Umuahia South, Osundi-Ibunda-Abo Nkporo in Ohafia, Umuozo Community and Ikeduru Street in Aba, as well as Isiaku Primary Health Centre in Alayi.

Kanu said achieving full connectivity across the state would contribute significantly to economic activity, particularly by improving access to digital services and creating a more favourable environment for businesses.