16th February 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, News, Governance And Development
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

The transformative work being done in Abia State by the administration of Governor Alex Otti has continued to resonate beyond the borders of the State. The rebuilding project of the government is receiving attention and accolades from very important quarters, even at the international level. Various groups and individuals from outside the State have been visiting Abia on courtesy calls to the Governor to see for themselves the infrastructural revolution that is going on in Abia under the careful watch of Otti.

The latest of such visitations was made last week by a special delegation from the European Union (EU led by Mr. Massimo De Luca, who is the Head of Corporations in the EU. The delegation was in Abia to see things for themselves and seek areas of collaboration with the Otti administration. The Governor, on the occasion, expressed the readiness of his government to work with the EU for the development of the various sectors of the State’s economy.

The delegation which was on a working visit was taken on a tour of the State to many sites where development projects were being carried out. The two-day tour which commenced on Wednesday, 12th February, 2025 took the delegation to the official flag-off of some road projects in Obingwa and Isiala Ngwa Local Government Areas (LGAs). This was later followed with a round table discussion involving Otti, his cabinet and members of the EU delegation.

The tour continued the following day where the Governor led them to interact with the management of Aba Integrated Power being run by the Professor Barth Nnaji-led Geometric Power Limited. In his engagement with the delegation, Governor Otti identified key areas the State would need the support and collaboration of the EU. They include the power sector, restoration of public water schemes, health, agriculture, trade (especially easy access to raw materials for Aba manufactures, standardization of made-in-Aba goods for exports to European markets) etc.

At Geometric Aba, Otti, in the company of the visiting delegation, commended the management of the Power Plant for the significant progress it has made in its efforts to give Aba stable power. He appreciated the decision of the power company to establish sub-stations in certain areas of Aba, such as Factory road, noting that it was important to have such injection of power in selected areas. He also expressed optimism that the excess power being generated by the company be wheeled into Umuahia as part of the ringed fenced area controlled by Geometric.

In his speech, the leader of the EU delegation, Massimo, said that the delegation was at Geometric to assess where the company is in terms of different forms of power distribution and finding out the possibility of partnership.
“So, my presence here is to assess where we are in terms of the different forms of franchise and to expand effective franchising in Abia and Nigeria, hoping that Aba will remain the lead and example to follow for other States in Nigeria”.
He further said they were targeting catalytic investments from Nigerian investors both, the public and private.

The visit by the EU delegation and its decision to collaborate with Abia State government are an affirmation of implicit confidence in Dr. Otti and his team and a concrete endorsement of his sterling performance so far in the rebuilding of Abia. In the less than two years that Otti has been on the political saddle of the State, he has demonstrated capacity, character and competence. He has also shown good governance anchored on the principles of rule of law, equity and fairness.

Since he assumed office as Governor, he has ensured that no part of the State is left behind. This is evident in the special purpose vehicles (SPVs) he created to drive development in all parts of the State. The SPVs include the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) which were specially created to deliver development to the three senatorial zones of the State.

Against the background of a very impressive performance in office, it is not surprising that such an important delegation was in Abia to rub minds with the Governor. The State is better for it as such high level delegations are sure to impact positively on the economy of the State. The visit would further ginger the Governor to do more for his people. There lies the essence. It is indeed a new dawn in Abia!

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ NewsOrient

For News, Interviews, Special Events Coverage, Advertisements, Corporate Reports, etc., Contact:
Email: Newsorientng@gmail.com

Website: https://newsorientng.com
Phone: +2348023165410; +2348064041541