Otti Says South-East Governors Understand Importance Of Achieving Regional Economic, Social Development

Dr. Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has stated that governors from Nigeria’s Southeast are working together, regardless of political affiliation, to address the region’s collective economic and social challenges.

Governor Otti stated that the governors recognised the importance of setting aside their political affiliations, prioritising governance, and addressing pressing regional issues, particularly security, because no meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere of insecurity.

On Friday, the Governor spoke with a delegation of the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, led by the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Highness Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who had come to see him.

He stated that regional security challenges necessitated a coordinated approach by state chief executives, and that he and his fellow governors meet on a regular basis to address issues of youth restiveness and how to meaningfully engage young people through the creation of employment opportunities and other empowerment programmes.

“No matter how you look at it, we must deal with security as a region, if not as a country. Unemployment and poverty are major contributors to insecurity. It also fuels banditry and insurgency, and we must do everything possible to ensure that our people have something to do,” said Governor Otti.

The Abia Governor emphasised the importance of creating a favourable environment for attracting investments and businesses to the region. He emphasised the importance of government intervention in stimulating economic growth and job creation in the Southeast region, and he also stated that the region’s governors must make deliberate decisions to protect their respective states’ economies.

“We recognise that investors are rational. They will not come unless you create an environment that is conducive to attracting investments. I am aware of at least 20 to 25 businesses in Abia that have simply relocated and closed their doors.

“States must make investments without regard for profit. They sometimes claim that the government has no business in the business world. It is a lie. The government engages in business. The government must intervene at some point and take deliberate steps to protect the economy by creating jobs.

“The government needs to step in and help the private sector create jobs, if for nothing else, to keep insecurity to a minimum,” he said.

Governor Otti enumerated ongoing initiatives in Abia State aimed at revitalising key economic hubs such as Aba and Umuahia in order to attract investment and spur development, claiming that his administration had a clear plan to fix the state.

The Governor, who stated that Aba has the potential to develop the entire South East region if properly utilised, revealed that power supply remains the most important enabler required to spur development in Aba and the entire South East region.

He disclosed that the 141 Megawatt Geometric Power Plant in Aba, set for commissioning on Monday, would provide an uninterrupted power supply to Aba and its environs. He stated that his government was in discussions with investors about how to provide 24-hour power to all parts of the state.

The Governor promised to continue working with the Joint Body of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, and he promised to consider the concerns raised during the meeting as part of his ongoing efforts to promote unity, development, and prosperity in the South East.

Earlier, the delegation’s leader, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, stated that the body, which was established three years ago, aims to promote peace and reconciliation in the South East.

Igwe Achebe, who stated that the visit to Governor Otti was the body’s first physical meeting, revealed that the group had previously engaged with some governors in the zone virtually but not physically.

He stated that they were committed to projecting peace, mutual respect, love, and the well-being of Ndi Igbo, and praised Governor Otti for his remarkable achievements in the short time he has been in office, describing him as a model for Igbo leadership.

The foremost Igbo traditional ruler urged the South East Governors to work together to achieve regional integration and emphasised the importance of Ndi Igbo building a nation within a nation for economic prosperity.

In separate speeches, the Chairman of the South East Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu; the Chairman of the Centre for Values and Leadership, Professor Pat Utomi; the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Archdiocese, Most Rev. Chibuzo Opoko; and Dr. Uju Agomoh, among other members, stated that the body expects the South East Governors Forum to champion regional integration, regardless of political affiliation.

They urged the South East Governors Forum to work together to make the region an economic hub, allowing Igbo business communities around the world to bring their investments home.

Other members of the body who attended the meeting included Apostle David Onuoha, the Anglican Archbishop of Owerri Province, and Mrs. Pauline Iyke-Ogbo, a biomedical scientist at Alex Ekwueme University in Ebonyi state.