Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Alex Otti has restated the commitment of his administration to a digital technology -driven economy.
The Governor stated this while addressing a delegation of Investors from the West India Asian Cable Company (WIACC), a Broadband Company led and introduced to the State by the General Overseer of Omega Ministries, HRM Apostle Chibuzo Chinyere.
Describing broadband technology as key to the economic prosperity of the state, Otti said that his administration already had a robust plan for the infrastructure in the state.
He added that apart from the commissioning of the Geometric Power Plant, he is gradually addressing some of the infrastructural issues that were hitherto discouraging investors from coming into the State.
The Governor noted that the Geometric Power facility with 188 megawatts capacity is expandable as his discussions with the CEO of the company few weeks ago centered on the need for the company to expand power across and beyond the State.
“In terms of infrastructure, I think we have a robust plan infrastructure-wise. We may have had our issues in the past and in Aba alone, the Geometric facility has the capacity of 188 megawatts and it’s expandable and the discussions we had last week with the CEO of Geometric Power is to the fact that we need to start doing something to expand the capacity from Osisioma into everywhere in the State and beyond.
“So, reaching Owaza will be piece of cake and Ukwa West where the Industrial park is located is part of the jurisdiction of Geometric Power. So, I am encouraging the Power Company to increase their generation beyond the present LGAS.”
Governor Otti said that he is working towards achieving an Abia where people will sit in the comfort of their homes and earn a living, leveraging on the opportunities offered by Google, Amazon and their like.
“Listening to you shows clearly that we are on the right path. I do know that we need fiber and broadband technology in this place. I have been speaking about it right from the first day I assumed office and I know that it’s not just about people having connectivity but also like you rightly said, in education, in health and in employment generation.
“A lot of people sit in the comfort of their homes and work for google and Amazon from their villages. So, for us, it’s like music in our ears and that’s where we are headed,” Gov. Otti added.
Earlier, while introducing the investors, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries, Apostle Chibuzo Chinyere, said that Governor Otti is an answered prayer from God to deliver Abia from many years of bondage, pointing out that various projects executed by the Governor so far clearly shows that he is on a mission to transform the state into the Dubai of Africa.
While stating that he is passionate about the development of the state, HRM. Apostle Chibuzo said that the company based on track records of excellence has the ability to increase the state’s IGR as well as create employment opportunities for the people.
Speaking, the Regional Director of the Company, Mr Darren Bedford, said that the company came to seek partnership with the State Government in the area of making Abia an internet hub that will accommodate the likes of Microsoft, Google, amazon, adding that the project is to be sited on an 80 hectares land.
Mr Bedford while citing the recently commissioned Geometric power Company as an added advantage for the state, said that the hub when completed will link Abia with the rest of the Southern states and beyond in terms of internet connectivity.
