Abia gov seeks US support to boost economy
By Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti, has solicited the support of the United States of America for the promotion of trade, investment and other areas of interest in the state.
Otti made the appeal when the Political and Economic Section Chief of the US Consulate , Mike Ervin with his team visited him in Abia.
Otti identified access to finance, power and logistic support in the area of digital economy, among others, as the major handicaps towards the development of the state economy.
The Governor who said that “Abia prides itself as a major trading and industrial hub in Nigeria,” noted that Aba alone, has over 50,000 shoe manufacturers as well as fabrics and garment producers.
Otti regretted that the State had suffered set backs in the past due to infrastructural decay.
He, however, noted that many businesses that hitherto relocated from Aba to other states, were gradually returning to the commercial city following the decision of his administration to embark on massive infrastructural rehabilitation.
He said:”You can come in as United States to assist us, if we solve the power problem, then there’s another problem which is access to finance and these days of expensive dollars people are running away from foreign currency funding, but I believe we can sit down and think out process whereby, even if it is for government to provide a guarantee and help against fluctuations in the foreign currency price so that our people can be sure of support that they can pay back”.
Earlier, the Lagos US Consulate Political and Economic Section Chief Mike Ervin who explained that the Consulate covers the 17 Southern States of Nigeria ,said their mission was to seek ways to expand bilateral trade and investment and ensure prosperity between the United States and Nigeria.
“As you know in the US consulate in Lagos we cover the 17 southern states and our top job more than any other, is to seek ways to expand bilateral trade and investment and expand shared prosperity between our people.
“Our people share a long history of partnership and that was highlighted by the visit of our Secretary of state ,Anthony Blinkin in Nigeria a couple of weeks ago where he spoke very eloquently and strongly on the significance and importance of US- NIGERIA bilateral relationship and our desire is to seek ways of expanding that relationship to build prosperity for our people”,he stated.
He thanked Governor Otti for opening the doors of Abia State to them to talk about ways they can find opportunities to build shared prosperity for their people, adding,”this is one message Secretary Blinkin has been talking around the world”.
