Governor, Dr Alex C. Otti has played host to many international guests, including the Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria, Bui Quoc Hung, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Weert Borner, and Ms Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria.
These high profile guests are visiting to identify with the immense development strides happening across multiple sectors in the State and to also explore emerging investment opportunities, especially in the areas where the State enjoys national and regional comparative advantage such as textile and clothing, agriculture and MSMEs…
The interesting thing about these visits is that they don’t just end after the photo sessions, the dignitaries are taken round the State and across strategic assets for an on-the-spot assessment, to identify investment opportunities. Recall also that since the early days of the Governor Alex Otti Administration, the State has played host to several other diplomats including the Country Director of the World Bank, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, UK High Commissioner in Nigeria amongst others. Beyond the visibility these visits draw to the State, they also send signal to international investors that Abia is open for business.
This development also explains the surge in demand for parcels of land in different parts of the State by various investor groups who are determined to be part of the New Abia success story. Here for me, are the 5 major takeaways from the renewed interest of the international community in our dear State: 1. This is the best time to look to Abia for investment opportunities: If you have some funds for investments, this may be a great time to come here to invest in the agriculture and agro-allied ecosystem, housing and real estate, food and beverage processing, hotels and hospitality, manufacturing, clothing and textiles arts and entertainment and so much more. The economic environment is improving and a new sense of optimism is building so here is a great time to move in and invest. Thankfully, the State Government has set up dedicated offices to improve ease-of-doing-business and to drive investment promotions. Get in touch with these offices in Aba and Umuahia and let them guide you. 2. Governor Otti was right when he said on national TV that “the mere fact that I am announced Governor would cause investors to start moving in.” Imagine what has happened in the last 20 months, think about the astronomical increase in property prices in all parts of the State, the entry of new players in hospitality and entertainment and very importantly, the massive advantages the State would reap from having a global brand like Radisson Blu set up shop in the State as we shall see in the current location where we have Enyimba Hotel in Aba… 3. The push to become the number 1 on all the important development indicators is real. Governor Alex Otti promised to make Abia the number one on all the major development-related indicators. This vision is at the heart of the push to reform and transform our health and education sectors, road infrastructure, justice delivery system and urban environmental outlook. Everything is related and Governor Otti is determined to build a State that responds to the needs and aspirations of its residents…
Genuine development is people-driven: What stands out in Abia today is that the giant strides happening in road infrastructure, civil service reforms, urban sanitation, security and others are set up to improve the productivity of the average populace, remove existing barriers and create a system that supports the enterprise and efforts of our common people. The average keke operator today drives through better road, the bus driver has quicker turnaround time, and the individual car owner suffers less damage to his car.
Just like the woman who sells at any of the markets would worry less about touts harassing her and the farmer can operate without fear of criminals who operate from the bushes. 5. God’s time is indeed the best: We wanted this since 2015 and when it did not happen, it was as if we have been abandoned by God. But the event of the last 21 months has clearly demonstrated that God is wiser and plans better than all of us. Imagine what could have happened in Abia at a time like this without an astute leader like Governor Otti at the helm, where we for dey? Imagine having an Ikpeazu-kind of Governor owing civil servants and pensioners, at a time like this, what could have been our lot? Clearly, God knew the right time to bring Governor Otti and He did just that… the New Abia is here….
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