Abia State Governor Alex Otti has urged investors who previously relocated from the state, as well as prospective investors, to return and explore emerging business opportunities created by ongoing reforms and infrastructure development.

Otti made the call on Sunday during the commissioning of a new hospitality facility built by an investor in Aba.

The governor said his administration had spent the past three years improving the business environment and addressing infrastructure challenges that had previously hindered economic activities in the state.

According to him, the ongoing transformation of Aba and other parts of Abia is opening up new opportunities for businesses and investors.

Otti pointed to the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road in Aba as one of the projects undertaken by his administration to improve the city’s infrastructure.

He recalled that the road had been affected by obstructions and accumulated debris before his administration intervened, adding that the government had cleared the affected areas and rehabilitated the road.

The governor said the project was part of wider infrastructure interventions designed to improve connectivity, open up parts of the city and create better conditions for businesses to operate.

He added that the government’s ongoing infrastructure programme across the state would continue to create opportunities for individuals and businesses.

Otti consequently encouraged investors and residents who had left Aba to consider returning and taking advantage of the changes taking place in the city.

“Time is ripe for investment in Abia,” the governor said, warning that those who delay could eventually find fewer opportunities as other investors take advantage of the available space.

He assured prospective investors that the state government would continue to provide infrastructure and maintain an environment that supports business growth.

At the commissioning of the hotel, Otti commended the investor and Chief Executive Officer of ORIS Signature Hotel, Owelle Greg Okafor, for choosing to invest in Aba.

He said the hospitality project would contribute to the state’s economy by creating jobs, supporting economic activity and providing accommodation for visitors to the city.

Otti added that investments such as the hotel would contribute to increasing Abia’s Gross Domestic Product and Internally Generated Revenue while helping to reduce poverty and improve services available to travellers and residents.