“Abia, ready to partner Nigeria content Development and Monitoring Board to accelerate establishment of industrial park” —governor Otti.

By Editor , Umuahia

The Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex Otti OFR has expressed the readiness of the state government to partner the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in order to fast track the development of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) in Owaza, Ukwa west Local Government Area.

Governor Otti shared this optimism on Friday 6th September, when he received a delegation of the board led by the Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Ogbe who paid him a working visit.

Recall that Governor Otti had performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the AIIP some months ago, in Owaza before 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,” he said.

Continuing, the governor said, “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 in spite 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.”

The Governor thanked Engr. Felix Ogbe and his team for coming and for his commitment in seeing that the project succeeds.

Addressing the governor earlier, Engr. Felix Ogbe commended him for his efforts in establishing an industrial park, pointing out that in some states, industrial parks were established without the support of the state governments contrary to what is obtainable in Abia where he said the story is peculiar and different as the state government is the one pushing and making the efforts.

He further expressed optimism that the Project would succeed.

Engr. Ogbe said he awaited the proposal from the government so he could give it the needed push.

According to him, “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 I think it’s something worth doing.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu for his part, explained some features of the project which included its viability in the oil rich Owaza, the socio-economic benefits to Abia and Nigeria as a whole in job opportunities.