The Abia State government has announced plans to make Abia Hotels Limited, its flagship hospitality outfit, a publicly quoted company as part of efforts to revitalise moribund state-owned enterprises and ensure no public asset is wasted. Fully equipped materials testing lab launchedThe government has also completed and commissioned a modern Materials Testing Laboratory at the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Ogurube Layout, to tackle the menace of building collapse and check the use of substandard construction materials. According to Kanu, the facility is equipped for concrete, soil, aggregate, asphalt pavement, steel reinforcement, non-destructive and field testing, among other functions. He noted that the laboratory would promote quality engineering practice in the building and fabrication industries across the state. Youth empowerment, agriculture and marketsAdvertisementThe Information Commissioner further announced that preparations for the Abia TechRise ICT Training Cohort 2 are at an advanced stage.