Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has explained that his administration’s deliberate investment in Aba, the state’s commercial hub, is anchored on the potentials the commercial city has in driving the economic growth of the state.
Governor Alex Otti made this known at the weekend, during an appreciation ceremony organised by the ‘Oha Isiala Ngwa People’ of Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas, in recognition and appreciation of his towering and excellent performance across Abia state, especially projects littered across Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas.
He stated that, developing Aba is a strategic decision aimed at stimulating internally generated revenue to fund projects in other parts of the state.
“Our concentration on Aba is because, we do know that Aba has the capacity to generate revenue for us to develop other parts of the state.
“Aba occupies a prime place in our strategy, because that is our major commercial hub. Not just for Abia, but the South-East and South-South zones. of Nigeria”, Governoe Otti stated.
The Governor, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving inclusive governance, said that his government is working simultaneously in all parts of the state.
He announced that December is the deadline for the completion of the ongoing Mgboko-Ntigha road project.
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The Abia State Chief Executive, used the opportunity to clarify that the location of Abia Airport in Nsulu was purely on technical merit and not political consideration and disclosed that all affected landowners have been fully compensated.
He also described the Abia Airport project as an ambitious undertaking, which is more than just an aviation facility, but a full-fledged development hub, aimed at providing long-term economic benefit to the people.
“We are not just building an Airport; we are building an Airport city. A three or four-star hotel is going to be there, and even the Nigeria Air-Force is going to have a base there. There is going to be markets and shopping plazas within the facility.
“We have paid 100% compensation to everybody whose land was affected. If there’s anyone that has not been paid, it is not our fault. Maybe, they provided a wrong account number or there are three or four people struggling for the same space”, Governor Otti noted.
He thanked the people of Isiala Ngwa for their support to his administration and promised to continue running an inclusive and people-focused government to bring development to Abia State.
Obinna Anaba, chairman of the occasion,
commended the administration’s rapid strides in infrastructural development, social welfare, and economic reforms, saying that, the Governor has proven that effective leadership is possible in Abia state.
He reaffirmed the people’s support for the Governor and expressed confidence in his continued delivery of democratic dividends in Abia State.
Ugochukwu Agu, president of Ngwa National Association in USA and Canada, expressed satisfaction with the Governor’s performance, particularly in the education sector.
He said that the Ngwa community abroad had launched support programmes to align with the administration’s developmental goals and have introduced scholarship schemes for students and undergraduates, and have launched a skill acquisition programme to up-skill the people.
