NEWS
Gov. Alex Otti Strengthens Strategic Partnership With World Bank as Abia Secures Key Development Projects in Energy, Rural Electrification and Infrastructure.
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has intensified efforts to deepen international development partnerships following a high-level working and familiarization visit to the World Bank Country Office in Asokoro, Abuja, where he met with the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Matthew Verghis.
The engagement, held on May 8, 2026, formed part of the World Bank’s longstanding tradition of hosting states considered to be demonstrating strong governance performance and effective project implementation. The meeting further reinforced growing confidence in the development direction of Abia State under the leadership of Governor Otti.
During the discussions, the World Bank Country Director acknowledged the visible transformation taking place across various sectors in Abia State and expressed satisfaction with the pace of reforms and governance initiatives being pursued by the present administration. The visit also provided an avenue for both parties to review existing collaborations and explore broader opportunities for partnership.
A major aspect of the engagement focused on the power sector, with detailed presentations on the partnership between the Abia State Government and Geometric Power.
The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, outlined ongoing expansion strategies aimed at improving electricity access and extending stable power supply to more communities across the state, a move seen as central to industrial growth and economic development.
The meeting further revealed that Abia State has already been captured in several strategic projects within the World Bank development pipeline. These projects span critical sectors including energy, rural electrification, renewable energy, water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as the SPIN initiative, all targeted at improving living standards and accelerating socioeconomic growth within the state.
Governor Otti also informed the World Bank delegation that Abia State had successfully fulfilled the necessary conditions required for participation in the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project, popularly known as L-PRES. He further disclosed that compensation approval for affected property owners under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), had already been secured and that payment processes had commenced.
The discussions equally reviewed the progress of ongoing World Bank-supported interventions in Abia State and examined the next phase of implementation aimed at ensuring sustainable impact and improved service delivery to residents.
Members of the World Bank delegation present during the meeting included Taimur Samad and Fatima Adenike.
Also present in Governor Otti’s delegation were the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Ngozi Felix; the Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer, Chinonye Mba-Uzoukwu; as well as the Senior Special Assistant on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Odin
akachi Eric Eme.