Governor Alex Otti Explores Strategic Partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company on Infrastructure, Rail, and Seaport Development in Abia.

The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to partner with the China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) in key infrastructural sectors vital to the State’s economic transformation.

Governor Otti made this known on Wednesday, November 5, during a high-level meeting with a delegation from the company led by its Managing Director, Mr. Jason Wang, at the Governor’s Office, Umuahia.

Welcoming the delegation, Governor Otti expressed the willingness of his government to collaborate with the globally renowned Chinese firm in critical sectors such as infrastructure, erosion control, dredging, rail transportation, and seaport development, areas in which the company has established strong technical expertise and global footprints.

“There are a lot of areas we can collaborate. Like I always say, the devil is in the details. We can sit down and begin to look at them.

“We believe that governance should be about people and the welfare of the people. And, I believe that aligns with your own vision too, being that you are also a government-owned company.

“We believe that both the Abia State Government and China Harbour will benefit from a partnership founded on honesty, truth and, of course, transparency. And those are the things we stand for as a government,” Governor Otti stated.

The Governor disclosed that his administration would engage the company in the ongoing development of the Azumiri Seaport project, whose feasibility study is nearing completion, alongside the Abia Railway Project and other infrastructural constructions that are central to his vision of building a modern and industrialized Abia.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the railway project to the State’s economic growth, Governor Otti revealed that the Akwa Ibom State Government has also expressed interest in partnering with Abia to link both States through a rail line, an initiative expected to enhance trade, commerce, and cultural ties across the region.

“And the last time I discussed with my colleague in Akwa Ibom State, he also indicated intention to link Akwa Ibom with Abia because of the trading and cultural affinity.

“So, maybe it’s something that you may want to have a look at. There is a design already; you may condemn it and do your own. And we can also sit down to think about how to fund it,” Governor Otti said.

The State’s Chief Executive further expressed his desire for the China Harbour Engineering Company to participate in the development of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) at Owaza and in the revival of moribund industries within the State.

He noted that he was aware of the company’s earlier expression of interest in some dormant industrial assets and welcomed their involvement as part of his administration’s commitment to restoring Abia’s industrial glory.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Jason Wang, Managing Director of CHEC Nigeria Limited, said the visit was aimed at deepening discussions on potential infrastructure partnerships with the Abia State Government and exploring strategic areas of collaboration to accelerate the State’s development agenda.

He explained that the company specializes in the design and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, erosion and drainage control systems, flyovers, dredging, land reclamation, railways, airports, and seaports, among others.

Mr. Wang commended Governor Otti’s transformational leadership and the remarkable progress recorded in road rehabilitation, economic restructuring, and governance reforms within the State. He further noted that CHEC is currently involved in major projects across Nigeria, such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Abuja–Keffi Expressway expansion, and the Enugu–Otukpo–Makurdi road, among others.

Also present at the meeting were key members of the Abia State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Mike Akpara, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Mineral Development, Prof. Joel Ogbonna, and the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, among others.

The meeting marks another major step by the Alex Otti administration in its quest to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and forge global partnerships that will transform Abia into a model State for sustainable economic and in frastructural growth in Nigeria.