Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to prioritize power as a key factor in the region’s economic growth.
He made the statement during a meeting with the commission’s delegation, emphasizing that stable electricity is crucial for industrialization and the success of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Otti stressed, “These are the kind of investments that government should make to stabilize the economy. If the government doesn’t stabilize the economy, they can’t deal with unemployment and they can’t deal with poverty ravaging everybody right now.”
He further explained, “If you are talking about industrialization… a major input into virtually every effort people make in industrialization and manufacturing is power. So, if you solve that problem, you would have probably solved 60 percent of their problem.”
As part of his commitment to supporting SMEs, Otti highlighted the state’s involvement in helping Geometric Power generate 188 megawatts, with 100 megawatts dedicated to powering the Aba Ring Fence. Ongoing discussions are also underway for the Abia State government to take over the equity of Interstate Electrics Limited in EEDC, further improving power supply across the state.
Governor Otti praised the South-East Development Commission for addressing regional challenges and pointed out the progress the region has made. “Our people have worked so hard to reintegrate themselves,” he said, acknowledging the resilience of South-Easterners.
Dr. Emeka Wogu, Chairman of the commission, recognized Otti’s infrastructure development efforts, such as the ongoing Port-Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, and Omenuko bridge projects.
He pledged the commission’s commitment to working with the governor to bridge development gaps and create sustainable progress for the region.