COMMENTARY
INCLUSIVE: “I HAVE TRAVERSED ALL THE ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATION, THROUGH ORJI UZOR KALU, T.A ORJI, AND OKEZIE IKPEAZU, IN TWO YEARS, YOU’VE DONE WHAT COULD NOT BE DONE IN 24 YEARS” — FORMER SECRETARY TO ABIA STATE GOVT., PROF. MKPA DECLARES AS GOV. OTTI URGES ABIANS WORLDWIDE TO BRING INVESTMENTS HOME, THROWS STAR PAPER MILL CHALLENGE TO ABIRIBA PEOPLE, ASSURES ON EROSION CONTROL, POWER RESTORATION AND AKAHABA GENERAL HOSPITAL REVAMP
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has called on Abians at home and in the diaspora to redirect their investments back to the State as part of the ongoing efforts to accelerate economic growth, deepen industrialization and consolidate the new development trajectory of Abia State.
The Governor made the call on Wednesday, January 28, while receiving in audience a delegation of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide, led by its General President, Chief Yuccee Ottah Uwah, at the Government House.
Governor Otti said his administration has deliberately focused on recovering Aba and other parts of the State in order to lay a solid foundation and create an enabling environment for businesses and investors to thrive.
“For us as a government, some of the things we do are a way of laying the foundation and creating the enabling environment for investment to flow in.
“So, we wanted to recover Aba first, which we have done now, and other parts of the State. And having done that, we have armed our people to get their investments back.
“It is good to talk about foreign investment, but you will be amazed at how much local investment that has gone out there. A lot of your people have manufacturing outposts in China, Turkey, and the rest of them.
“So, home is still home, we want to start by getting them to come back. And a lot of them are coming back,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor specifically challenged the Abiriba people to take the lead in investing in the Star Paper Mill, previously owned by their illustrious son, late Chief Nnanna Kalu, and recently acquired by the Abia State Government from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) after several years of being moribund.
Expressing satisfaction that the issue of the factory was raised by the delegation, Governor Otti disclosed that the State has fully paid AMCON and taken complete ownership of the facility.
“I’m happy you also spoke about Star Paper Mill. We have taken it over completely. We have paid AMCON. It now belongs to Abia State Government.
“We are open. As a government, we don’t intend to run it. That’s not our job. Our job is to encourage the private sector, because it’s the job of the private sector to run business.
“But as a government, it would be irresponsible of us to sit here and allow companies like that to die.
“So, if you have people who are interested, who have the capacity, who also have the capital and have the character, then we are happy to discuss with them so that we can put it back.
“I’ve received a lot of proposals, including proposals from China. But I’m wary to hand it over to foreigners when a local set it up several years ago.
“So, Mr. President (of ACIU), it’s a challenge that I’m throwing back at you to say, yes, we’ve taken it back, but we still need our people to come and invest and turn it around and employ our people. That’s all that I’m interested in.
“So, that’s the message, for every one of us. And there are no better people to give this message than Abiriba people,” Gov. Otti stated.
To ensure a structured and coordinated investment drive, the Governor directed his Chief of Staff, Commissioners and other relevant officials to engage further with Abians across various locations.
“Who are in different places, in the diaspora, in Lagos, in Abuja, in Ghana, in Jos, in different places. We want to get them back home.
“They don’t necessarily need to close what they are doing there, but whenever they are thinking of expansion, their passion should be back home,” Gov. Otti maintained.
Responding to concerns raised by the delegation, Governor Otti assured that holistic measures are already in place to restore electricity supply, not only in Abiriba but across the entire Abia North zone. He also assured that solutions would be provided to tackle the ravaging erosion challenges in Abiriba communities.
The Governor further disclosed that renovation works at the Akahaba General Hospital would commence soon, while thanking the Abiriba community for their tradition of excellence and for hosting him in Aba on June 12 last year.
Earlier in his remarks, the General President of ACIU Worldwide, Chief Yuccee Ottah Uwah, commended Governor Otti for his giant strides across the State, explaining that the delegation came to express gratitude for the numerous projects executed so far.
He highlighted the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba Road (now renamed Joe Irukwu Road), the ongoing redesigning of Akahaba General Hospital, and the successful reclaiming of Star Paper Mill as key achievements. He assured the Governor of the unwavering support of the Abiriba community, including support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Chief Uwah also drew attention to erosion menaces in some Abiriba communities, the absence of electricity for about 15 years, and disclosed the community’s plan to activate their global networks to attract investors to Abia State, noting that the Governor has fixed Abia and restored security.
Delivering a powerful and emotional intervention, former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, poured encomiums on Governor Otti, declaring that the Governor’s performance has eclipsed that of all previous civilian administrations in the State.
“Your Excellency, I am privileged, and I give God the glory that I have traversed all the administrations in the civilian administration, through Orji Uzor Kalu, through T.A Orji, and through Governor Ikpeazu.
“But I dare to say, and without any fear of contradiction or equivocation, that in two years, you’ve done what could not be done in 24 years.
“Nobody ever imagined that the roads in Umuahia, metropolis, could be widened, asphalted as they are today.
“Certain things we thought were privileges, you have liberalised.
“For eight years, I sought for a certificate of occupancy (CofO) before you came.
“Surprisingly, when you came, I received a phone call from that office, and they said, you applied for a C of O years back. Come and receive your C of O.
“For me, it looked like a dream. I said, could this be Abia? Could this happen in Abia State? This is a transformed Abia.
“I wished I had the opportunity to serve in this administration. Because all my efforts in the previous administrations, I appeared to be drowned.
“And all of us were classified as unproductive. It’s a pride and for those of you who are in this administration, thank your God. Because you are part of the glory that he is making of us,” Prof. Mkpa declared.
The renowned academic further thanked the Governor for assembling professionals who serve the State with humility, singling out the Chief of Staff for special commendation, describing his accessibility and modesty as uncommon for the office.
Present during the visit were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D; the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Chief Matthew Ekwuruibe; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Ugoanusi; and the Executive Secretary, Abia State Diasp
ora Commission, Rev. Annie Onu, among other government officials.