The Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti OFR has expressed the readiness of the State Government to partner with the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to accelerate the development of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) in Owaza, the Ukwa west Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Otti expressed the readiness of the State on Friday 6th September, when he received a delegation of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitory Board led by the Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe who paid him a working visit.
Recall that Governor Otti had perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the AIIP some months ago, an event which attracted the presence of the representatives of the Federal Government, captains of industries and financiers etc.
“What we have done is to create the enabling environment because we are a private sector-led Government. We know that Government is there to support and grow businesses. That is why we have already acquired the almost 2000 hectares of land. We have already issued the Certificate Occupancy to AIIP, so the land is available”.
“Arrangements have also been concluded and I believe that the Original owners of the land, if they have not received their compensation, will receive it in no distant future because the money has been made available”.
“So, we are very happy to partner with you and you can be sure that we will do everything that is possible to ensure that this project takes off and lands successfully. So, in the next few days, you will receive our written request. But inspite of that, we will continue to do what we have to do to ensure that the project continues to run until you come in to give us a push we require”, Governor Otti assured.
The Governor thanked Engr. Felix Ogbe and his team for coming and for his commitment to see that the project succeed.
Earlier in his speech, Engr. Felix Ogbe commended Governor Otti for his efforts to establish an Industrial Park, saying that in some States, they go to establish industrial parks without the efforts of the State Governments but in Abia, the story is peculiar and different as the State Government is the one pushing and making the efforts. He expressed optimism that the Project will succeed.
Engr. Ogbe who said he came in fulfillment of his promise to the Governor to come and listen to what the State is doing and know how they can partner with the State in establishing the Industrial Park assured that once he receives the State Government’s proposal, he will take it to the Board for discussion. He expressed the hope that it is something worth doing.
“So, if I get the Proposal, what I will do is to take it back to my board. I have a Governing Board that I need to talk to. But, I will tell you that it think it’s something worth doing. So, I will have a session with the Board and I will come back to his Excellency to tell him our position and what we intend to do”, Engr. Ogbe stated.
Also, earlier in his presentation, the CEO of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu explained some features of the project, its viability with the abundance of gas in Owaza, the location of the park, the socioeconomic benefits to Abia and Nigeria as a whole which includes creation of thousands of jobs etc.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
