Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State has announced an ambitious plan by the he government to revive moribund industries and convert waste generated in the state into energy.
Otti said this during his October media parley at the Government House, Umuahia, on Thursday night. He said that the state had acquired Star Paper Mill and Afro-Beverages from Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria.
He said that the move was aimed at restarting production in both industries and creating jobs for thousands of residents towards boosting the state’s Gross Domestic Product rating. He said the initiative was not for government to own businesses but attract experts and private partners, who would manage the industries profitably and grow Abia’s economy sustainably.
The governor said that Abia was moving from waste evacuation to recycling and power generation under a waste-to-wealth initiative. He said the government had conducted feasibility studies and begun talks with investors to convert rubbish into methane gas and electricity, copying models in Europe and other advanced economies.
He expressed delight that government’s waste management initiative had made the state cleaner and healthier. Otti also promised to expand education, health, and infrastructure across the state.
According to him, over 5,000 new teachers had resumed work, while 4,000 more would be hired soon to meet growing enrolments under the free and compulsory education policy.
He also said that schools were being converted into smart learning centres, enabled with technology-driven teaching, while teachers were being trained in special areas to prepare students for the future.
Otti said that any school building that failed an integrity test would be demolished to protect pupils and create safer learning environments across communities.
He also announced that over 8,000 solar streetlights had been installed under the ‘Light-up Abia’ project, with more expected in the coming months to illuminate cities and villages.
He disclosed that the offer to purchase the Umuahia power ring-fenced area from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company had been accepted by the company.
‘This would help to ensure steady power supply across the nine Local Government Areas in the Umuahia ring-fenced area,’ he said.
The governor also said that it would enable Geometric Power Plant, Aba to distribute surplus electricity generated locally to other areas, ending decades of irregular power supply in the state.
The governor further stated that the government had restored power to Abia State University, Uturu, and the College of Education, Arochukwu, ending their long struggle with blackouts.
On health, he said that 79 primary health centres were being built or undergoing renovation, while recruitment of 771 medical professionals was ongoing to strengthen rural health delivery.
He said that the recruitment process was transparent and merit-based and that applications were being received from other African countries, ‘showing Abia’s growing appeal as a work destination’.
Otti also spoke on the state security and attributed the recent successes to intelligence-led operations.
He, therefore, urged the residents to act as community watchdogs and report suspicious movements to relevant authorities for counter-action.
He lauded the collaboration among the security agencies, saying it had helped to prevent crimes and maintain peace across the state.
Otti thanked President Bola Tinubu for inaugurating eight newly reconstructed roads in Aba and announced plans to commission more roads for reconstruction, including the 25-kilometre Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road.
He said that the reconstruction of the 13.1-km Ariam-Usaka Ring Road, 9.3-km Ihechiowa Road, and several others in Isiala Ngwa North and South Local Government Areas would be commissioned soon.
The governor thanked Abia residents for their support, pledging not to relent until every community felt the impact of governance through improved roads, schools, power, and healthcare services.