The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, claims that Abia has emerged as a top investment location and advises anybody or any group considering investment to choose Abia.
At the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Abia State Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) on Saturday in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, Governor Otti made a speech.
The Governor said confidently, “Go home with this message: Abia is the new destination for lucrative investments.
“If you have something to generate, Abia should be your first choice since there are countless chances here and because the residents are diligent, creative, and self-driven. “So where else would you rather be?” the Governor confidently said. “Another advantage, which would come on stream after the completion of this park, is substantially decreased cost of manufacturing through stable and economical power supply.
As the largest and most integrated industrial park in West Africa, according to Governor Otti, the AIIP has enormous potential and promises to attract both domestic and foreign investors.
He said that the AIIP project’s closeness to the Atlantic Ocean, which is just approximately 30 nautical miles away, is one of its appealing features. He said that the Park would be designated as an export processing and free trade zone after obtaining the relevant clearances.
For the purpose of building compressed natural gas production facilities in the park, Governor Otti stated that the state administration is actively in contact with significant participants in the gas value chain.
The Governor said that the AIIP will go down in history as the first cluster in Nigeria to combine production tank farms for LPG, CNG, jet fuel, PMS, and diesel with other auxiliary facilities for more productive and commercial production of liquid fuel created in Nigeria.
In accordance with President Tinubu’s policy trust on domestic usage of the country’s enormous natural gas resources, he added, “this will help eliminate the liquid fuel scarcity problems in the country.” According to Dr. Otti, the AIIP is designed to provide significant assistance to the Aba economic environment and, eventually, to converge with it. Although it is a challenging endeavor, he said that “the state and the people who have placed such a high level of trust in us deserve nothing less.”
Adding, “Aba is getting the attention it deserves and investors are seeing new possibilities,” he reaffirmed that his administration is committed to bringing Abia back to the forefront of important economic discussions in Nigeria and outside. As we continue with our road restoration work, the removal of trash, and the lighting up of the town, Umuahia is looking. Speaking at the event, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, praised Governor Otti for his dedication to enhancing the lives of Abian citizens. According to him, the Otti administration’s plan to industrialize Abia is more than just a pipe dream; it is a carefully considered plan that is in line with the country’s objectives of economic growth and self-sufficiency.
According to Kalu, the AIIP project is a transformative journey that aims to maintain economic growth, provide job opportunities, and establish Abia State as a centre for industrialization and innovation. It epitomizes progress, innovation, and economic development, he added.
Regardless of his political allegiances, he vowed to work with Governor Otti to promote the state’s economic development and build a state that all of its residents could be proud of.
The Industrial Park is “a strategic business environment for the State to build critical capacity in the areas of manufacturing, modular refineries, establishment of LPG and CNG plants,” according to the CEO of AIIP, Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu. He praised the governor for setting the pace and commended him for maintaining the Industrial Park at the top of his administration’s priority list. He added that Abia has been waiting for this chance to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of the Aba man.
The event was attended by players from the Nigerian oil and gas industry, including the Managing Director of Shell Petroleum, Mr. Osagie Okunbor; the Executive Director of Total Energies, Mr. Obi Imeremba; Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote; and the representative of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, Mr. Morgan Umahi.
Some Abia State National Assembly members, including Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Obi Aguocha, Amobi Ogah, and Emeka Nnamani, were also present. Hon Austin Okezie Meregini, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly of Abia, led the attendees.
Among other government officials present were the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Caleb Ajagba, the Commissioners for Petroleum, Prof. Joel Ogbonna, the Commissioner for the Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna.
By Charles Chinekezi, Freepressnews