Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has explained that the reason his administration embarked on industrial park project was to make Abia investment destination and a centre for job creation.
The industrial park situated on 1000 hectares of land was flagged off at Owazza on Saturday.
Otti who spoke during a media parley in Umuahia, explained that the project was part of his quest to transform the state.
He expressed delight at the high profile investors that have already indicated interest in the project and those that showed up during the flag off ceremony.
“Big companies in Nigeria showed up at the ground breaking ceremony. The country Chairman of Shell Petroleum was there. Chairman of Total Energy was also present. We had the CEO of Free Trade Zone in the country was also there to endorse the project,” the elated Otti said.
The Governor said that the park would have modular refinery, fertilizer plant, gas plant, real estate, among others.
Otti said his coming on board marked the beginning of a new Abia, and solicited the support and cooperation of all Abians to his administration.
The Governor hinted that arrangements were being perfected for the award of contract for the total rehabilitation of Port Harcourt road Aba which has completely collapsed for decades.
He said that the design work was almost completed for the final award of the all-important 4 kilometer road.
Ikengaonline had reported that, Otti had shortly after his emergence, invited Julius Berger to assess the road, promising to rehabilitate it after taking over power
“Port Harcourt Road Aba has not been forgotten. It requires a lot of design, and we are at the design stage. We have done virtually everything about the road.
“In the next few weeks you will see what will happen to Port Harcourt Road, Aba.”
Otti said “11 roads are under construction” in Aba within the four months of his administration.
He noted that three of the roads had been inaugurated while another three would soon be delivered.
“We have already delivered three roads in Aba, and another three – Green Avenue, Umuimo and Old Express Road are ready for inauguration.”
He promised to give attention to infrastructural development simultaneously in Aba and Umuahia the state capital.
“While Aba is a priority, Umuahia is the state capital. We are not doing Umuahia roads at the expense of Aba roads, we are giving attention to both cities simultaneously.”
Otti said that blackmails by the opposition would not distract him from pursuing his developmental agenda.
He said to the opposition performed abysmally for the decades it held sway.
“The opposition has held the state to the jugular, and we have just broken loose. I won’t be distracted by their criticism. They should let us breath. If they don’t want us to breath, we have the right to breath. I’m not here for the opposition.
“We have forced out the mouth of those who put their mouth on the feeding bottle of the state. So, they are not happy but we won’t allow them to distract us.”
Gov. Otti said he had nothing to hide about the income and expenditure of the state, vowing to remain transparent.
The Governor further said that the two Specialist Hospitals – Amachara and Abia Diagnostic Centre Umuahia, recently renovated and re-equipped by his administration were in compliance with his promise to rebuild the Abia health sector.
He said that the Aba General hospital, and Umunneato General hospital currently under renovation would soon be delivered.
