GOV. OTTI HOSTS INDUSTRIALISTS, ASSURES THEM OF PERMANENT SOLUTION TO POWER PROBLEM.
The Executive Governor of Abia State His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, on the 25th of July, 2023 hosted the representatives of the Association of Aba Industrialists who came to visit him.
The group led by their president Sir Alex Maduako, had earlier sent in its congratulatory message to Gov. Otti on his resounding victory at the Gubernatorial ballot. They told the Governor that his victory was an answer to their fervent prayers for God’s intervention in Abia State which they backed with actions on Election Day.
The president of the Association who could not hide his joy and satisfaction with the performance of Governor Alex Otti said “We have not seen a thing like this before, it’s not up to two months that you assumed office, you have flagged off nine roads in Aba. Very important roads. You did not just flag off the roads, work started immediately and it’s still ongoing, unlike what obtained in the past were contracts were awarded and abandoned after flag-off.”
Sir Maduako continued, ” Before now, people avoided coming to Aba because of refuse dumps. we were there in Umuahia during your swearing-in. You declared a State of emergency on refuse dumps in Aba and other parts of the State. We saw action immediately as we are now experiencing a breath of fresh air.”
The group presented some of the challenges affecting their businesses which include epileptic power supply and collapsed roads which now make their business areas inaccessible. They specifically mentioned the road from Osisioma through NNPC Depot to the Aba part of the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway.
They thanked the Governor for terminating multiple taxation imposed on them by the previous Governments and pleaded with him to sustain the termination.
After listening to the Industrialists, Gov. Alex Otti OFR said, “You know what I came to do is to fix these problems.” His visitors joyfully applauded because they know that he marches his words with the required actions.
On the issue of epileptic power supply, Gov. Otti told the industrialists that he is already doing something about it towards finding a lasting solution.
It could be recalled that on Sunday 23rd July 2023, Gov Otti, met with Prof. Bath Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power Plant Aba responsible for the supply of power to Aba and its environs and the Management of Niger Delta Power Holding Corporation led by the Managing Director Mr. Chiedu Ugbo where they extensively discussed the issue of power challenge in Aba.
He informed the industrialists about some of the outcomes of their meeting and went ahead to join Prof. Bath Nnaji in the meeting with them through a phone call. After some deliberations on key issues raised by the Industrialists, Gov. Otti, Prof. Nnaji and the industrialists agreed on a date before the end of this week for all parties to meet physically to continue with the deliberations to find lasting solutions to the issues.
Concerning the road from Osisioma, Gov. Otti said, ” I understand that the Federal Government also awarded the road. I’m waiting for the president to announce his Cabinet so that I can engage with the Minister of Works to now complete the project . Whichever way it goes, something will be done on that road before the end of this year.” The Industrialists who could not hide their joy applauded the Governor.
Other members of the Association who accompanied the President Sir Alex Maduako – MD/CEO ZANDOL Industries Nig. Ltd to the visit include:
Chiduwam C. Ehisanya – Secretary of the Association, from CHEMLAP Nig LTD;
Joseph Nzenwa – Lucky Joe Industries;
Kenneth Chukwu – Guinness Industries LTD;
Emma Obi – Polymer Industries LTD;
Anazodo Lawrence;
Austin Nwokezuike; and
Chief Greg Okafor, Ibiza
By: Chinonyerem Cleverson
VTMONEY
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