Governor Alex Otti on Tuesday assured that the government will accelerate construction work at the Abia Industrial Innovation Park “in the coming weeks and months”. He stated this during his visit to the project site in Owaza, Ukwa West council area.
Mr Otti restated his government’s determination to complete the project.
The governor, represented by his chief of staff, Caleb Ajagba, said the visit was to enable the project’s new managing director, Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon, to assess work on the site.
“The visit will enable the managing director to appreciate the work required to fulfil the expectations of the State Government, Abia citizens and the international business community.
“We are determined to complete this project we initiated, and this visit demonstrates our determination to ensure the industrial park becomes operational. Several companies and organisations have expressed interest in the project, and efforts would presently focus on translating the interest into project execution,” Mr Otti said.
In her response, Ms Ivonye-Ntofon pledged utmost commitment to ensure the project’s completion.
“We are confident that the facility would become a source of pride for the host community, the state government and people of Abia,” she said.
The commissioner for petroleum, Joel Ogbonna, said the project would help harness the state’s oil and gas resources for economic development.
Mr Ogbonna said the planned establishment of a modular refinery and a compressed natural gas facility would create employment and stimulate development in the state.
“The construction of access roads and completion of necessary processes have laid the foundation for the project,” he said.
The lawmaker representing Ukwa West state constituency in the state assembly, Godwin Adiele, commended the governor for siting the project in the area.
Mr Adiele, however, urged the government to accelerate work on the project so residents can benefit from its anticipated economic impact.
“The park was originally conceived to accommodate several industries to generate jobs and promote development in Ukwa West and neighbouring areas. The people are peace-loving, and I urge them to sustain the cooperation needed to ensure the project’s completion,” he said.
The traditional Prime Minister of Igiriukwu Autonomous Community of Owaza, Uche Nwele, pledged the community’s cooperation to ensure the project’s successful implementation.
Mr Nwele acknowledged the Abia government’s compensation payment and other steps taken to develop the facility, and thanked the governor for the initiative.