Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Bulgaria has expressed willingness to partner Abia State on the critical sectors of agriculture, education and human capital development.
Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yanko Yordanov, disclosed this when he led a delegation of Bulgarian diplomats to Governor Alex Otti in Umuahia.
He said the delegation was in the state to seek collaboration with Abia State in order to boost “agriculture, trade, education and human capital development.”
“In more concrete terms, the project we wish to bring to your attention will be offering comprehensive understanding about the need to develop, not only economic ties, but also the people to people exchange,” Yordanov said.
He further explained that the proposed partnership would come with a training support package in agricultural technology and skills.
“Abia State is widely known as a State where all the opportunities exist. This is why my country and private investors desire to collaborate and develop partnership with Your Excellency,” the Ambassador explained.
Responding, Gov. Otti thanked the delegation for the visit, and assured that his administration is committed to providing the necessary environment for investors to thrive in the state.
He also said that the focus of his government was on delivering good governance to the people and revamping the economy.
He said that his government was very serious and focused on impacting positively on the lives of the people of the state.
“The government we have in Abia State right now is a very serious government. We are focused on delivering good governance to our people, and good governance speaks to welfare, it speaks to healthcare delivery, it speaks to education critically and of course security and economic well-being of the people, and we are single minded in delivering those to our people,” he said.
Governor Otti, who said that his government was willing to partner the Bulgarian government, stated that he was impressed with the areas the Bulgarian government had chosen to assist the State.
“I am very happy in the areas that you have chosen to intervene and to support us; food is everything and there’s no important security you will be talking about without talking about food security,” the Governor declared.
According to Governor Otti, Abia is blessed with good vegetation and boasts of agricultural products such as cocoa, oil palm, rubber, cashew, maize among others.
“We are luckily blessed with good vegetation and naturally, we produce a lot of food. I believe that with improved seedlings and better technology and of course, the training you talked about, there are no better time to come to us than now. We are still at the drawing table,” he enthused.
He said his government would welcome a trade partnership with Bulgaria and access to European market for products from Abia State.
“I believe that this is the time we should begin to look at it as a serious business. We are happy and we are willing to work with you at any level that you want to make a success out of the land God has blessed us with and all products that can come out of it. Abia State is ready to submit itself to superior training and technology.”
In attendance at the meeting with the Governor were some members of the State Executive Council, among whom were the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu; Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu; Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Monica Ironkwe and Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Eme-Uche.
Present also were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem and Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze.
