Abia State Government, on Tuesday, disclosed that it’s Modular Refinery Project at the Abia Industrial Innovation Park,Owaza, Ukwa West LGA , will come on stream by 2025.
The State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this at Government House Umuahia ,while briefing Journalists alongside some members of the Executive Council on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Okey Kanu, stated that the landmark project; the first in the innovation park, is anticipated to generate over 2000 direct and indirect job opportunities for the teeming youth population.
The Commissioner who emphasized the significance of the Modular Refinery, highlighted its role in providing refined products for Abians and boosting the state’s Internally Generated revenue.
He noted the project is important to the present administration and expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring the timely realization of the project.
The Commissioner said that the State Government is leveraging on its Petroleum and Mineral Resources deposit which are
expected to contribute to the economic development and added that investors are eyeing opportunities in Abia State.
“The State Government is poised to reap from the huge investment provided by the petroleum and mineral resources endowments of the state. In this regard, there are lots of investors justling to invest in Abia State.
“Of course, when these investments are put in place, they will help to provide opportunities for our youths. Such investments will add to our revenue base and generally reflect on the economic, development and general well being of the state”, Prince Kanu said.
On road infrastructure, the Commissioner said tat Jubilee road and 3 other roads newly completed in Aba by the present administration would be commissioned soon.
Kanu, who announced an upcoming medical mission in April, set to benefit no less than five thousand Abians, also disclosed that the renovated Ummunneato and Okpuala-Ngwa general Hospitals would be commissioned soon.
He raised awareness on suspected measles outbreak in Arochukwu and Umunneochi LGAs, assuring that the health commissioner and her team are actively working to contain it.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo said that government is in control of the reported cases of measle outbreak involving 3 persons in the two LGAS.
She noted that the ministry is at mop up stage to ensure the issue does not spread to other parts of the state, adding that the outbreak may not be unconnected to the dry season.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Solid Minerals, Professor Joel Ogbonna, while noting that Abia State is endowed with 17 solid mineral deposits, said investors from Europe and other parts of the world have indicated interest to partner with the state government in the solid mineral sector.
On the reported extortion of motorists, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, emphasized that government has taken a firm stance against extortion and touting activities in Aba and its surroundings.
The Special Adviser to Governor Otti, revealed that the Governor has directed the Special Adviser on security to apprehend those involved in any form of extortion.
Ekeoma, noted that the Governor had previously issued a directive to halt all illegal revenue and levy collections but expressed concern on recent reports of extortion under the guise of loading fees.
Reiterating the commitment to preventing hoodlums from controlling any form of levies in the state, Ekeoma assured that the government will not tolerate such activities and added that government plans to crack down on illegal motor parks and markets while relocating traders operating in unauthorized markets to enhance the overall sanitation of the Abia environment.
