Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says his administration has successfully restored Aba, the commercial hub, and made it a safe haven for businesses and investment.
While receiving a delegation of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide, led by its General President, Chief Yuccee Ottah Uwah, at his office, Otti expressed the belief that Abians at home and in the diaspora can now bring their investments back to the state to accelerate development.
A statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, said the governor emphasised that attracting investment into Abia State remains a top priority for his administration.
According to Otti, the foundation for sustainable investment lies in restoring order, security, and infrastructure, particularly in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.
“For us as a government, some of the things we do are about laying the foundation and creating the enabling environment for investment to flow in.
We decided to recover Aba first, which we have done; the rest of the state is following. Having done that, we have empowered our people to bring their investments back home,” he said.
The governor noted that while foreign investment is important, the volume of indigenous capital currently invested outside the country is enormous.
“It is good to talk about foreign investment, but you will be amazed at how much local investment has gone abroad. Many of our people have manufacturing outposts in China, Turkey, and other countries.
Home is still home. We want to begin by encouraging them to return, and I am glad that many of them are already doing so,” Otti stated.
Governor Otti specifically challenged the Abiriba community to take advantage of the acquisition of Star Paper Mill, formerly owned by the late Chief Nnanna Kalu and recently reclaimed by the Abia State Government from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) after years of inactivity.
He disclosed that the state government has fully paid for the facility and is open to negotiations with credible private investors who can revive the company and restore employment for nearly 2,000 people, as was previously the case.
He added that although several proposals, including foreign offers, have been received, he would prefer that Abians reclaim and revive the company.
Governor Otti directed his Chief of Staff, commissioners, and other relevant officials to engage more actively with Abians across the diaspora and within Nigeria to ensure a coordinated investment drive.
“Our people are in different places, Lagos, Abuja, Ghana, Jos, and across the diaspora. We want to bring them back home.
“They don’t need to shut down what they are doing elsewhere, but when they think of expansion, Abia should be their first choice,” he stressed.
Responding to requests from the Abiriba community, Governor Otti assured that comprehensive efforts are underway to address the severe erosion challenges affecting communities in Abiriba.
Earlier in his address, the General President of ACIU Worldwide, Chief Yuccee Ottah Uwah, commended Governor Otti for his remarkable achievements and stated that the visit was to express gratitude for the numerous development projects his administration has executed.
He cited the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–
He also assured the governor of the Abiriba community’s support in the 2027 elections.
Chief Uwah further highlighted persistent erosion issues and the absence of electricity in Abiriba for over 15 years, while pledging to mobilise the community’s international networks to attract investors to the state, given the improved security and business climate.
Also speaking, a former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, praised Governor Otti’s performance, stating that his achievements in less than two years have surpassed those of previous civilian administrations in the state.
He also applauded the governor for assembling a team of professionals who serve with humility, singling out the Chief of Staff for his accessibility and leadership style.
