Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has emphasised his commitment to good governance aimed at bringing democracy dividends to the people.
Governor Otti stated this during a meeting. with the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yanko Yordanov and his team.
The Governor further emphasized government’s focus on impacting the lives of Abia residents in key areas such as welfare, healthcare, education, security, and economic well-being.
“The government we have in Abia State right now is a very serious government. We are focused on delivering good governance to our people, and good governance speaks to welfare, it speaks to healthcare delivery, it speaks to education critically and of course security and economic well-being of the people.
“We are single-minded in delivering those to our people”, he said.
Governor Otti who welcomed collaboration with Bulgaria, particularly in the fields of trade and agriculture expressed delight with the Bulgarian government for choosing to support the state.
The Governor highlighted Abia’s agricultural potential, with the abundance of crops such as cocoa, oil palm, rubber, and maize and expressed interest in leveraging improved seedlings, advanced technology, and training to enhance the state’s agricultural productivity.
He said that his government is interested in trade partnership and access to European market and assured of the state’s readiness to submit itself to superior training and technology at various levels to ensure success.
“I am very happy in the areas that you have chosen to intervene and to support us; food is everything and there’s no important security you will be talking about without talking about food security”
“We are luckily blessed with good vegetation and naturally we produce a lot of food. I believe that with improved seedlings and better technology and of course, the training you talked about, there are no better time to come to us than now we are still at the drawing table”.
“I believe that this is the time we should begin to look at it as a serious business. We are happy and we are willing to work with you at any level that you want to make a success out of the land God has blessed us with and all products that can come out of it”.
Earlier, the Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov outlined the delegation’s purpose, noting that they were in Abia to seek collaboration with the state government to boost agriculture, economic development, education, and human capital development.
Governor Otti in a group photograph with the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov and his team as well as the members of the State Executive Council including the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu; Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. ChimezieUkaegbu; Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Monica Ironkwe; Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chaka Chukwumereije; and Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Eme-Uche among others.
“In more concrete terms, the project we wish to bring to your attention will be offering comprehensive understanding about the need to develop not only economic ties but also the people-to-people exchange,” Yordanov added.
He further explained that the proposed partnership comes with a training support package in agricultural technology and skills.
“Abia State is widely known as a State where all the opportunities exist. This is why my country and private investors desire to collaborate and develop partnership with Your Excellency. “The Ambassador explained.
