Abia State Government says it is not relenting efforts in creating enabling environment for sustainable economic development.
The Governor, Dr Alex Otti stated this while hosting a delegation of the Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Mr. Peter Keulers and Members of the business community in a dinner at Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia.
Governor Otti, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, said the three areas of possible collaborations mentioned by the Deputy Consul General including circular economy, agriculture and solar are all important to the State.
He said Abia people and residents are known for their entrepreneurial skills, adding that any effort to give them 24 hours electricity will be well appreciated.
The Governor appreciated the Kingdom of Netherlands and other development partners and assured them as well as members of the business community in Abia of the sustained support of his government in growing and expanding their businesses.
Also speaking, the Deputy Consul General, Mr. Peter Keulers, who said that they came for a scoping mission highlighted three key areas of collaboration to include circular economy, agriculture and solar and maintained that they are much willing for partnership and bilateral economic relationships.
He appreciated Governor Otti’s disposition and commitment to developing Abia through collaboration and informed that they are equally interested in the area of waste management.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna in his presentation said within a short period in office, Governor Otti has done great including making Abia to become one of the five States qualified to be chosen by the UNIDO for circular economy.
He added that Abia State competed and was equally selected as the only State in the South East for the Smart Climate Solid Waste Management in the South East among others.
In his remarks earlier, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba noted that before now government travel outside in search of investors, adding that Governor Alex Otti has changed the narrative as he now attracts investors to Abia through visionary and purposeful leadership.
In their various contributions, some participants and key actors from academic institutions and business communities including Professor Nnorom Innocent, Nwabueze Okeke, Chioma Aji, Alice Edede among others expressed support to developing plastic management policy, support to recycling and creation of awareness on recycling project.
