By Editor

There has been a catalogue of foreign interests in Abia state over the last few weeks.

The various interests had come from different parts of the world including Germany, Netherlands, China, etc.

While the German consulate sought to deal a deal with the Abia state government on the take over of Enyimba hotel in Aba by Radisson blu, Kaltani company from the Netherlands season deal on waste management in Aba.

In another development, governor Alex Otti is wooing Sinoma Materials Company Nigeria Limited to establish its company Aba in order to create job opportunities for the residents.

During the visits of the management team from these companies, governor Otti explained possible areas of collaborations as well as the strength of the state in some sectors.

Dr. Alex Otti on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 received a delegation from the Netherlands in Nigeria led by the Deputy Consul-General, Mr. Peter Keulers who were in the State on a scoping mission alongside the Kaltani Company.

Led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Obi Charles Nnanna, wanted to are to commence the waste management project of turning waste into wealth in the state having signed an MoU with Abia State Government.

Governor Otti informed the delegation that Abia is ready and open for business, adding that Abia is not seeking aid but exploring areas of collaboration for mutual benefits.

He said that a whole lot has been achieved and Abia is currently rated as one of the neatest States and now the government is moving to the next level of converting waste to wealth.

“What we have done is to evacuate the rubbish and put them somewhere. We are now moving to the next stage which is the stage of, what do we do with that heaps of rubbish and that is why Kaltani Company came in to say, there are two ways to deal with it. “We thought that the better thing to do will be to convert the waste into products that people will buy. “What will this products be, there are a lot of them and people talk about waste to wealth or waste to energy and that is in very serious demand here and that is where he (The Honourable Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities) comes in because it is part of our strategy.”We need to solve the energy problem in Abia. I’ll say that we are almost there, and it is in the same Aba that we are talking about, that has power from an independent integrated power company that runs on a 24 hour basis.,” he said

In a brief remark, the commissioner for Power and public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday noted that having tackled the issues of sanitation head-long, Governor Otti is concentrating on converting waste to wealth which would also lead to environmental sustainability and job creation.While also informing the delegation of the immense potential that Abia boasts of, Engr. Monday urged the delegation to consider investing in the area of converting waste to energy, adding that Abia is one of 5 States selected for the circular economy project being financed by the European Union.

In his speech, the Deputy Consul-General, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Peter Keulers said that his delegation is on a scoping mission to meet with government, private sector and academic/research organizations to discuss possible areas of deployment of Dutch Technology and knowledge to meet both commercial and policy objectives in the areas of waste management, circular aspect of Agriculture among others.

The Deputy Consul-General while noting that circular economy is so dear to the Kingdom of Netherlands, said that, it will lead to a more sustainable and resilient economy with less pollution and waste, and even lead to a more efficient use of scarce resources as well as engender quality of life.

Earlier, the Managing Director cum Chief Executive Officer of the Kaltani Company and key development partner of the waste to wealth project, Engr. Obi Charles Nnanna said that they are a ready partner in the project of waste collection and recycling.He expressed his joy for the opportunity to collaborate with Governor Alex Otti in realizing his vision for the State.”His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti is a man of vision, a man that wants to create a lasting impact in the lives of Abians and we are happy to be part of that story, we are happy to support His Excellency’s government and vision.”We intend to galvanize waste, we intend to create job, we intend to address multiple United Nations SDGs,” Nnanna stated.

The delegation visited the recycling park and Landfills at Osisioma, existing burrow pits and dumpsites in Aba and Umuahia, and some other areas of interests.

For the SINOMA firm, the governor said he wanted a partnership that would contribute to the GDP of Abia State.

According to the Governor, the company may consider setting up its factory around Osisioma axis of the State as the area enjoys 24 hours power supply courtesy of Geometric Power Limited. Earlier in his speech, the leader of the Delegation and Chairman of the Company, Mr. Zhang Hui said that the company is in the business of manufacturing one of the best building materials used for ceiling and walls including building cement factories and has built up to 4 cement factories for major cement producers in the country.

He said that the company’s products are water and fire resistant and sort collaboration with the State Government towards patronage and marketing.In his remarks, the Country Head of Sales for SINOMA Materials Nigeria Limited, Mr. Nwankwo Chukwudi Daniel said that the company is also into manufacturing of fiber ceiling which is a new innovation from the company used for wall partitioning. He said that the company also has an arm called SINOMA ENGINEERING in charge of constructing cement production plants, adding that the company has been in Nigeria for close to two decades and has come to collaborate with the State Government for the purpose of establishing its presence in Abia.”We want to collaborate with the State Government, under Governor Alex Otti, the innovative Governor of our time.