GOV OTTI LAYS FOUNDATION FOR ABIA INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION PARK

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has reiterated the commitment of the present administration in creating a great economic and infrastructural development in the state.

Governor Otti, stated this at the groundbreaking of the Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP) on over one thousand hectres of land at Owaza Ukwa West Local Government Area of the state.

He maintained that the project when completed would bring massive economic development to the three donor communities, the state and its environs.

Governor noted that AIIP would be a manufacturing hub, including technology innovation center, modern vehicle Assembly plant, Power generation plant, LNG & CNG tank farms as well as Haulage.

He pointed out that the state would leverage on the many advantages of the project, including the oil and gas deposits, nearness to Aba and Port Harcourt cities, abundance of skilled labour and a secure environment for smooth and uninterrupted production and other industrial activities.

Earlier, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, stressed that the AIIP project embodied the essence of progress, innovation, and economic development.

He added that it was a transformative journey aimed at sustaining economic growth, generating employment opportunities, and positioning Abia State as a hub for innovation and industrialization.

Mr. Kalu gave full assurance to synergizing with the Governor, irrespective of political affiliations, to ensure the sustainability of industrialization initiatives such as the AIIP project which is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

In their separate remarks, the Representatives of oil companies who had indicated interest on AIIP, Mr. Osagie Osumbo, Obi Imeremba and Morgan Umahi, commended Governor Otti for the creditable initiative for local manufacturing.

They said the industrial cluster would be a melting point for industrialization and development of Abia State.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna, said that the park would provide limitless investment opportunities that would impact all sectors of the states economy, noting that collaborative efforts of stakeholders would play a significant role in the actualization of the project.

For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of AIIP, Mr. Chinedu Onyeizu, said that the park would serve as a strategic business environment that would lay a solid foundation for a renewed Abia.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU