The Abia State Government is set to introduce a comprehensive Industrial Policy aimed at accelerating industrial development, attracting investment and consolidating ongoing economic reforms achieved under the present administration.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday, while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu noted that the proposed policy is a product of the strategic and massive transformation of the State by the Otti led administration in all areas of governance over the past 31 months.
According to the Commissioner, the reforms already implemented by the Government have strengthened the State’s local economy, improved its Ease of Doing Business and positioned Abia as an attractive destination for both local and foreign investors.
He said that the policy will clearly outline Abia’s industrial potentials, available resources and comparative advantages, while setting standards and expectations for investors seeking to do business in the State.
“It is an Industrial Policy that is going to drive the development of the State and is such that will set the standards for investors to come to the State.
“It will spell out what we have in terms of potentials, resources that will attract people because quite a lot of transformation has taken place in the State and institutional reforms have been embarked on.
“Now it is like consolidating this gains with a policy that will spell out for investors what they need to expect from Abia, so that once they go through it and know what we have they can come down here”, Prince Kanu said.
The Commissioner added that the State Government had constituted a Committee to drive the process of drafting the Industrial Policy, which would be launched in the coming weeks.
Prince Kanu also announced the commencement of an addressing infrastructure programme aimed at street naming, house numbering and geo-referenced addressing.
The Commissioner said that the initiative, aligns with the State’s Urban Renewal Programme, would enhance order, improve planning, support emergency services and stimulate economic growth.
He noted that the absence of standard street names and house numbers in many urban areas had slowed logistics, weakened revenue systems and created uncertainty for investors.
Prince Kanu said that the project would be owned by the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) and Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA).
According to him, the State Government will soon appoint a project manager to oversee the implementation of the addressing infrastructure programme.
On infrastructure, Kanu said the Ministry of Works carried out direct labour interventions in 49 locations across the state during the period under review.
He said three road projects were completed, while one new project was added to the Ministry’s maintenance portfolio.
The Commissioner listed the completed projects to include; Christ the King Avenue, Umuahia; Lekwesi-Leru Road, Umunneochi Local Government Area; and Ken Ahia Avenue, Umuahia.
He said that the ongoing direct labour works also include desilting of major drains in Aba, with plans to extend the exercise to Umuahia and other towns ahead of the rainy season.
Prince Kanu said a total of 31 road projects were currently on contract across the State, with work progressing steadily at various locations.
On transportation, the Commissioner said that the pilot phase of the State’s Electric Bus Scheme was running smoothly, with residents enjoying free rides.
Prince Kanu disclosed that 77,774 persons has so far benefited from the free bus services since the pilot rollout began on Dec. 24, 2025, adding that the figure represented a significant increase from the 31,344 beneficiaries recorded during the initial briefing.
