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Otti Tasks New AIIP MD With Accelerating Industrial Park Development
Otti Tasks New AIIP MD With Accelerating Industrial Park Development
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has tasked the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Innovation Industrial Park (AIIP), Ms Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon, with accelerating the development of the project to drive industrialisation, attract investment and create employment opportunities.
Governor Otti, gave the charge on Tuesday, during a familiarisation visit to the project site in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, where Ivonye-Ntofon engaged with stakeholders and assessed the facility.
The Governor represented by his Chief of staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba while welcoming the Ms Ivonye-Ntofon, said the familiarisation tour was organised to enable her assess the project site and understand the work required to fulfil the expectations of the state government, residents and the international business community.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing projects it initiates, assured that work at the industrial park would intensify in the coming weeks.
He added that several companies and organisations had already expressed interest in the project, with efforts expected to shift towards execution.
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Governor Otti said the industrial park was designed to attract companies capable of supporting Abia’s economic transformation, leveraging the area’s oil and gas resources.
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The Governor noted that his administration’s development efforts were deliberate and results-driven, pointing out that investors were attracted by the right environment, competent leadership and sound economic policies rather than appeals.
He directed that efforts to bring interested companies into the park be accelerated and assured the new MD of the state government’s support.
Governor Otti urged the new managing director to bring her experience in project management, commerce and investment promotion to bear on the project, adding that the government would provide the support required to move it to the next stage.
He added that the state government expected the new management to accelerate the process of bringing interested companies on board and ensure that the park fulfilled its economic potential.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Petroleum, Prof. Joel Ogbonna, said the AIIP would help unlock Abia’s untapped oil and gas resources and transform them into economic opportunities for the state and its residents.
Prof Ogbonna disclosed that several prospective anchor tenants, including a modular refinery, a compressed natural gas (CNG) company and a steel and iron company, had expressed interest in locating their operations at the industrial park.
He explained that preparatory processes, including road construction and other groundwork, had laid the foundation for the project, stressing that the development would generate employment, stimulate economic growth and improve living standards in the host communities and across Abia State.
He also disclosed that plans were being considered to link the Industrial Park to the rail network to facilitate the movement of goods and improve connectivity.
Contributing, Member representing Ukwa West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Adiele described the AIIP as a transformative project expected to improve the livelihoods of Abia residents, create employment and stimulate development in Ukwa West and neighbouring communities.
He thanked Governor Otti for citing the project in the constituency and appealed for sustained progress, noting that the people of Ukwa West were peace-loving and supportive of the project’s successful completion.
Also speaking, the Traditional Prime Minister of Igiriukwu Autonomous Community, Owaza, Chief Uche Nwele, pledged the community’s continued cooperation with the state government and the new management, assuring her of the community’s support in realising the project’s objectives.
In her remarks, the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the AIIP, Ms Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon described her appointment as an opportunity to contribute to the state’s industrial development and pledged to work towards delivering the park’s objectives.
The managing director pointed out that innovation is essential to economic survival adding that the park would provide a platform for manufacturing and other productive activities.
She expressed her readiness to work with the government, host community and prospective investors to move the project forward and appealed for the cooperation of stakeholders.
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