In a bid to attract investors and enhance economic development across Abia, the State Government has announced it’s plans to revitalize the Osisioma Industrial Layout and transform Umuahia, the state capital into a smart city.
The Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mr Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
The Commissioner stated that the present government’s commitment to breathing new life into the Osisioma Industrial Layout, alongside establishing additional industrial layouts throughout Abia State.
He emphasized that the decision are integral to the administration’s broader economic and development objectives government adding that government wants to consolidate Aba as a business hub and transform Abia into an investors’ haven.
“This is pursuant to plan of the state government to provide all necessary facilities that would make it possible for investors to establish their presence in the industrial layouts.
“The provision of these facilities would make the conduct of business in the layouts hassle-free and without any impediments.
“So the road infrastructure being provided by the government, the security, the power, the ease of doing business practices are geared towards making Abia an investors delight.
‘In the next few weeks and months, government would pursue this idea with vigour to ensure that these layouts are put in place“, Kanu affirmed
Kanu further revealed plans by the present administration to embark on the transformation of Umuahia into a smart city and disclosed that initiatives to redesign and beautify the “Isi Gate” area of the state capital are set to commence soon, with the aim of aligning Umuahia with modern smart city standards.
“This plan has been on the drawing board for quite a while, but in the coming months the process for executing the plan would begin”, he said.
To facilitate the transformation, the Commissioner said that a committee has been set up to devise strategies for enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the “Isi Gate” area.
