OTTI SAYS HE'S NOT OPPOSED TO ENYIMBA ECONOMIC CITY, INSISTS ON TRANSPARENCY, DUE PROCESS. (PHOTO).

 Otti Says He's Not Opposed to Enyimba Economic City, Insists on Transparency, Due Process

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

Otti made the remarks 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.

He said his administration remained pro-business and committed to supporting investments that 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,” the governor said.

Otti explained that his administration’s decision on the land for the project was based on concerns over the processes through which the land was acquired and the lack of relevant documentation. According to him, the state had initially sought to retain about 1,000 hectares for the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park out of nearly 10,000 hectares spanning Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

He said the company initially agreed after a meeting but later reneged and asked the state to approach the Federal Government. “So, what we did was, since the land belongs to us as a government and since we couldn’t take only 1,000, we revoked the entire C-of-O and took the 1,000 that we required,” Otti stated, adding that the matter later went to arbitration with some monies awarded to the government.

The governor further noted that documents available to his administration indicated that the Abia Government was entitled to only six per cent equity in the company despite the substantial size of the land involved. “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,” he said.

Otti also expressed concern over claims that compensation had not been paid to some original landowners, resulting in multiple court cases. He said he had no objection to investors acquiring land for the project provided the affected communities were properly compensated and appropriate agreements 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 added.

He congratulated the reconstituted board, expressing confidence that their experience would help address outstanding issues, and reassured them that his administration would remain focused on governance and the welfare of the people despite disagreements over the project.

Earlier, Board Chairman Sam Ohuabunwa said the visit was aimed at introducing the new board to the governor. He described Otti’s administration as a demonstration of the dividend of democracy, noting tangible improvements in infrastructure and other sectors.

Ohuabunwa said the board had examined the disagreement between the company and the Abia Government and found it puzzling given that Abia was a partner in the project. He said the board was not interested in reopening old wounds but was seeking forgiveness and an opportunity to rebuild the relationship.

“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,” he said.

He added that the board was ready to work with the governor to ensure the project achieved its objectives and that nothing should interrupt the development process already initiated by the administration.

The Enyimba Economic City project was initiated by the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as Abia’s industrial and economic hub.