Aba Is Back, Otti Tells Abians, Urges Massive Home Investment

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has declared that his administration has successfully recovered Aba and created an enabling environment for businesses and investments to thrive across the state.
Governor Otti made the declaration while urging Abians at home and in the diaspora to bring their investments back to the state to accelerate development. The governor spoke while receiving a delegation of the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Worldwide, led by its General President, Chief Yuccee Ottah Uwah, at his office.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @ukohanjoku, on Thursday, the governor emphasised that attracting investment into Abia State remains a top priority of his administration.
According to Governor 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, and other parts of the state are 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—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.
“We have taken over Star Paper Mill completely. We have paid AMCON, and it now belongs to the Abia State Government.
As a government, we do not intend to run it. That is not our job. Our responsibility is to create the right environment for the private sector to do business.
However, it would be irresponsible for us to sit back and allow such a strategic asset to die,” the governor said.

He added that although several proposals including foreign offers have been received, noting that he would prefer that Abians reclaim and revive the company.
“I am cautious about handing it over to foreigners when it was originally built by one of our own.
So, Mr. President, I throw this challenge back to you and the Abiriba people: we have recovered the asset, but we need our people to come forward, invest, turn it around, and employ our people. That is what matters to me,” Otti declared.

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.
He also promised that the long-standing electricity problem in Abiriba and across Abia North would soon be resolved.
The governor further assured the delegation that renovation works at Akahaba General Hospital would commence shortly.
He thanked the Abiriba community for their consistent leadership and for hosting him in Aba on June 12, 2024.
Community Commends Governor’s Performance
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 developmental projects executed by his administration.
He cited the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Uzuakoli–Akara–Alayi–Abiriba Road (now renamed Joe Irukwu Road), the ongoing redesign of Akahaba General Hospital, and the successful reclamation of Star Paper Mill.
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, 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.
“Your Excellency, I have served through the administrations of Orji Uzor Kalu, T.A. Orji, and Governor Ikpeazu.
But without fear of contradiction, in two years you have done what could not be achieved in 24 years,” he said.
Prof. Mkpa cited the expansion and asphaltation of roads in Umuahia metropolis, reforms in land administration, and the ease of accessing Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) as evidence of the state’s transformation.
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.
Those present during the visit included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuruibe; Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Magdalene Ugoanusi; and the Executive Secretary, Abia State Diaspora Commission, Rev. Annie Onu.