The Abiriba Communal Improvement Development Union has expressed its resolve to support the Abia government by attracting investors to boost socioeconomic development.
The president of ACIDU, Uche Uwah, said this on Wednesday, when the union’s members paid Governor Alex Otti of Abia a visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
Mr Uwah said the decision followed a union meeting, noting that communities should not rely solely on the government but also contribute meaningfully to development efforts. He said that the improved security situation and ease of doing business in Abia had made the state attractive to investors.
Mr Uwah disclosed that some Korean investors had indicated interest in partnering with the state to establish agricultural processing factories in Abia.
”So we decided that we would support the government by attracting investors to support the state government in advancing socioeconomic development, because Abia is safe, and its ease of doing business has improved significantly.
”We are looking at partnering with the state government in areas such as agriculture. We have many Koreans who are interested and willing to partner with the state in agriculture.
“They are interested in opening an agricultural processing factory in Abia, and then we’ll be exporting from Abia to Benin and other West African countries, and not only selling in Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Uwah commended the state government for its infrastructural strides, citing the Sir Joe Irukwu Way Road as evidence of the administration’s commitment to development. He said that Abia, which once lagged behind in infrastructure, had witnessed a remarkable transformation under Otti’s leadership, achieved within just two years of the administration.
The ACIDU president expressed optimism that more achievements would be recorded before the end of the governor’s tenure.
On power supply, Mr Uwah lamented that Abiriba has been without electricity for about 15 years, forcing residents to spend over N500 million annually, especially during festive periods, on fueling generators.
He thanked the governor for the ongoing efforts to restore power to the community and expressed hope that electricity would be fully restored soon. He also appreciated the state government for the reconstruction of Akahaba General Hospital in Abiriba.
Mr Uwah appealed to the governor to intervene in the erosion menace ravaging the community, urging the government to replicate the intervention carried out at the Ovom erosion site in Abiriba.
He identified Uzondi Okoronta, Agboji, Amaogudu, and Agbokere as major erosion sites in the area, noting that several homes had already been lost, particularly at the Uzondi Okoronta site, while others were at an early but dangerous stage.
Mr Otti commended the Abriba community for its unity and support, describing the town as his “second home” and a strong pillar of his political journey.
(NAN)