ABIA – Governor Alex Otti says that the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City, a strategically situated Public-Private Partnership investment hub seating on a 140-hectare land at Osisioma Ngwa will on completion truly launch Aba into an industrial center for sustainable economic development and job creation.
Governor Otti who was speaking during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding MOU between the Aba Commercial Smart City and United Market Leaders/Traders held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, noted that the project when realized will practically transform the state, modernize trade, commerce, manufacturing and logistics.
Governor Otti who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said that the project is also in line with the vision of the Governor Alex Otti’s administration towards creating prosperity among the people.
He assured the investment partners of a conducive business environment, adding that the needed infrastructure and other things needed have been put in place for the smooth take off and realization of the project.
In an address by the Group Managing Director of Aba Commercial Smart City, Professor Chinedu Nebo represented by the President, Aba Commercial Smart City, Ambassador Osita Offor, said that the project which is the first of its kind in Sub-Sahara Africa, is also a bold stride towards positioning Abia as a global gateway to Africa’s commerce and industrial revolution.
He said that the Aba Commercial Smart City is a symbol of prosperity through enterprise designed to restore Aba’s pride as Africa’s commercial heartbeat and connect it seamlessly to global trade corridors.
In his Speech, the Manager, Technical services of Aba Commercial Smart City, Mr David Okoro, said that the project is built on four core pillars of innovation including Automated Manufacturing, Medical, Commerce, Hospitality and Smart Housing, Logistics Efficiency and Smart Energy, noting that the Smart City is a resilient City where business thrives on intelligence and connectivity.
He noted that the project with E-commerce platform integrated with bonded terminals will put to an end importers’ struggles by enabling cross-border transactions from home with goods delivered straight to their doorstep.
According to Mr Okoro, the economic benefits of the project is enormous as it would boost the state IGR, create 25,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs across construction, ICT, manufacturing and retail.
In his remarks, the Group Vice Chairman of Aba Commercial Smart City and former Inspector General of Police, Dr Mike Okiro, said Governor Otti is through the project restoring the lost glory of Aba as the commercial and industrial hub of Nigeria, adding that many investors are bringing their monies for the timely actualization of the project for the benefit of Abians and Nigerians at large.
The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu, the Mayor of Osisioma Ngwa LGA, Chief Chris Agu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Commerce, Chief Nwaka Inem among other distinguished personalities witnessed the signing of the MoU.
