Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has clarified that he is not opposed to the Enyimba Economic City project, but insisted that the processes surrounding its development must be transparent and properly executed.

 

Otti spoke on Thursday when members of the reconstituted Board of the Enyimba Economic City Development Company paid him a courtesy visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

 

The governor said his administration remained pro-business and committed to supporting genuine investments, provided they complied with due process and protected the interests of the state and its people.

 

“So I’m not against any Enyimba Economic City, but I believe that there are things that were not properly done and they should be done properly.

 

“But having said that, since the matter is subjudice, I’ll leave it at that,” Otti said.

 

The governor explained that the state government’s decision concerning the land earmarked for the project was influenced by concerns about how the land was acquired and the absence of relevant documentation.

 

According to him, the government had initially sought to retain about 1,000 hectares of land for the proposed Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.

 

He said the Enyimba Economic City company was sitting on about 1,000 hectares out of approximately 9,803 hectares spanning parts of Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Government Areas.

 

“About how we got here, when we had our meeting, it was about the company sitting over about 1000 hectares out of the close to 10,000 hectares.

 

“I think it’s about 9,803 hectares of land, spanning through Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West and we were setting up the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park,” he said.

 

Otti said the company initially agreed to the arrangement but later reneged and directed the state government to approach the Federal Government.

 

He said the state subsequently revoked the entire Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) and retained the 1,000 hectares it required for the industrial park.

 

The governor, however, acknowledged that the matter was before the court and said he would ordinarily refrain from commenting further on it.

 

“I’m just going into this out of respect and this matter is now before the court, so, ordinarily, I would say it’s sub-judice until the court finishes with this matter.

 

“Subsequently, I think the matter went to arbitration and some monies were awarded to the government,” he said.

 

Otti also questioned the equity arrangement contained in documents available to his administration, saying they indicated that the Abia State Government was entitled to only six per cent equity in the company despite the substantial size of the land involved.

 

“Even the documents I have shown you say that the government has six per cent of the equity.

 

“I was just asking myself, so you give 10,000 hectares of land in Abia and you have six per cent equity?

 

“I would not do that kind of deal,” the governor said.

 

He further raised concerns over claims that some original landowners had not been compensated, leading to multiple court cases.

 

Otti said he had no objection to investors acquiring land for development as long as affected communities were properly compensated and appropriate agreements were reached.

 

“If Enyimba Economic City goes and acquires those lands, pays the people, and they have an agreement, you should come and I will give them C-of-O or title documents. I don’t have a problem.

 

“I support businesses. People are acquiring land; once you do the right thing, I have no problem,” he said.

 

The governor reaffirmed that his administration would continue to support genuine investments while insisting on transparency, fairness and accountability in transactions involving public assets.

 

He congratulated members of the reconstituted board and expressed confidence that their experience would help resolve outstanding issues surrounding the project.

 

Otti also assured the board that his administration would remain focused on governance and the welfare of the people despite the disagreements surrounding the project.

 

He said leadership must always prioritise the welfare and security of the people, describing any failure to uphold those responsibilities as selfish leadership.

 

The governor thanked the board for the visit and expressed optimism that its intervention would help resolve the issues surrounding the project within the ambit of the law.

 

Board Seeks Otti’s Support

 

Earlier, the Chairman of the board, Mr Sam Ohuabunwa, said the visit was intended to formally introduce the reconstituted board to the governor.

 

Ohuabunwa described the Otti administration as a demonstration of the dividends of democracy, saying residents could see tangible improvements in infrastructure and other sectors.

 

He said the board had also reviewed the disagreement between the company and the Abia State Government, describing the dispute as puzzling because the state was a partner in the Enyimba Economic City project.

 

According to him, the board was not interested in reopening old wounds but wanted to seek forgiveness and an opportunity to rebuild its relationship with the state government.

 

“Enyimba Economic City project is important not only to Abia but also to the South-East geopolitical zone and Nigeria.

 

“Our critical request is for your forgiveness and forbearance in all the ways that things did not happen the way they ought to have happened.

 

“We should begin to see how we can walk back, repair the relationship, rebuild it and move forward together,” Ohuabunwa said.

 

He added that the board was prepared to work with the governor to ensure that the project achieved its objectives.

 

Ohuabunwa also argued that nothing should disrupt the development process already initiated by the administration.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Enyimba Economic City project was initiated by the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as an industrial and economic hub for Abia State.