It’s the people’s turn in Abia; Politicians have enjoyed enough – Otti

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has declared that the State under his watch, is the turn of the masses to enjoy the dividends of democracy, arguing that politicians who presided over the affairs of the state since the return of democracy in 1999, have helped themselves enough with the common patrimony. Otti who made the declaration while hosting a delegation of the Course 17, Syndicate 2 of the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, at Government House Umuahia, said he was on a mission to make the masses and not just a handful of privileged politicians, have a taste of good governance. The governor told his audience that his recent decision to wipe off backlog of pension arrears owed retirees since 2014 was a demonstration of his passion for the masses, who had been shortchanged by the ruling elite. He said that “never again shall Abia pensioners be owed their pension”, adding that he had also directed that they be paid along with workers on the 28th of every month, a directive, he affirmed, had taken effect from April. “This is the people’s time, politicians have helped themselves enough for the past 24 years”, Otti thunderered.

Grant Thornton Applauds Aba Integrated Power Plant For Boosting Industrialization

Grant Thornton Nigeria has congratulated the Abia state government and Geometric Power on the successful launch of the Aba Integrated Power Plant. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for industrial growth in Africa, especially in Aba, known as the “Taiwan of Africa.” The Aba Integrated Power Plant is a cutting-edge energy facility, including a 141 MW gas-fired power plant, a 27-kilometer gas pipeline, and a distribution utility. This autonomous system generates and distributes its power supply, boosting local industry. Led by Professor Bartholomew Nnaji and supported by Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the project is hailed as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy sector. Grant Thornton Nigeria’s CEO, Dr. Ngozi Ogwo, emphasized the importance of uninterrupted electricity for business growth and innovation. The plant’s 24-hour operation is expected to enhance productivity, attract investments, an

I Didn’t Issue Quit Notice To Hausa Traders In Abia- Gov Otti

The Abia State government has refuted claims that it instructed Northern cattle dealers at Lokpanta Market in Umunneochi Local Government Area to relocate to the North.  Earlier reports suggested that traders in the market had appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and prevent their eviction from Lokpanta market by the Abia State government. These traders asserted that Governor Alex Otti’s administration had given them a two-week notice to vacate the market. However, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (retd.), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, addressed the media in Umuahia and categorically dismissed these claims as baseless and malicious. Ubah clarified that the government had only implemented a policy to change the operational hours of the cattle market. Instead of being a residential area, it would now operate daily.  He accused those circulating the rumor of distorting the government’s straightforward directive to create confusion and tarnish the reputation of Governor Alex Otti’s administration. He explained that the governor had never issued an order for Northerners to leave the cattle market but had simply decided that the market would no longer function at night due to security concerns.  The decision was a response to the area’s history as a hotspot for criminal activities. Ubah elaborated, “Three weeks ago, we took deliberate and measured actions in response to persistent reports of kidnappings in the Uturu-Umunneochi axis. During our operations, we discovered shanty brothels with over 160 rooms. These were identified and demolished, and we confiscated millions of Naira suspected to be proceeds from kidnapping.” “Criminal elements had turned the median of the Expressway into a parking lot, creating artificial traffic congestion and using the opportunity to alert their fellow gang members about the approach of their victims. We made arrests, and investigations are ongoing. Our plan is to make the market a daily one, like any other market in the state. It is impossible to attract development to an area plagued by kidnapping, armed robbery, and other security issues.” He noted that the cattle market, once a place for peaceful cattle trade, had transformed into a hub for criminals, rogues, and kidnappers. It had relocated from the Garki area, now the site of the ShopRite, to Ubakala, and then to Okigwe in Imo State.