ABIA INDUSTRIAL PARK: Govt. Conducts New MD/CEO round Project Site, Tasks her on Accelerating Execution

By Ezechukwu Adimoha

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has charged the new management of the Abia Innovation Industrial Park (AIIP) to accelerate the development of the project to drive industrialization, attract investments and create employment opportunities.

Governor Otti gave the charge during a familiarization visit to the project site in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area, where the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the AIIP, Ms Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon, engaged with stakeholders and assessed the facility.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the governor said the familiarization tour was organized to enable the new managing director to assess the project site and understand the work required to meet the expectations of the state government, residents and the international business community.

He added that several companies and organizations had already expressed interest in the project, noting that efforts were expected to shift towards implementation.

The State Chief Executive explained that the industrial park was designed to attract companies capable of supporting Abia’s economic transformation by leveraging the area’s oil and gas resources.

He urged the new managing director to bring her experience in project management, commerce and investment promotion to bear on the project, assuring her that the state government would provide the necessary support to advance it to the next stage.

Governor Otti added that activities at the industrial park would intensify in the coming weeks.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Petroleum, Professor Joel Ogbonna, said the Abia Innovation Industrial Park would help unlock the state’s untapped oil and gas resources and transform them into economic opportunities for Abia and its residents.

Professor 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 establishing operations at the park.

He added that plans were being considered to connect the industrial park to the rail network to facilitate the movement of goods and improve connectivity.

Contributing, the 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 opportunities and stimulate development in Ukwa West and neighbouring communities.

He thanked Governor Otti for siting the project in the constituency and appealed for sustained progress, noting that the people of Ukwa West are 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.

He assured the new managing director of the community’s support in achieving 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 achieving the park’s objectives.

She noted that innovation was essential to economic survival, adding that the park would provide a platform for manufacturing and other productive activities.

The managing director expressed her readiness to collaborate with the state government, host community and prospective investors to advance the project.