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The establishment of the Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP) in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State, by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti’s Administration, has garnered recognition and praise from the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.
In a Goodwill Message at the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Engr. Wabote noted that the Park would spur industrial production and ‘position Abia State as a competitive player in the global market as it will attract national and international investors which will then contribute significantly to the State and nation’s economy.’
According to him, ‘A virile manufacturing sector will not only create much-needed employment opportunities, but it will also have a multiplier effect on the economy especially if the right policies and mechanisms are put in place to stimulate both forward and backward integration for the products and materials that will be manufactured.’
The primary aim should be the reduction of production costs through these policies and mechanisms.
Wabote attributed the establishment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS) to the Federal Government’s commitment to the local content philosophy, which emphasises the domestication and localisation of high-value activities.
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The NCDMB boss said, ‘Based on the realization that high production cost is a major challenge for local manufacturers, we adopted a shared-services strategy where we provide infrastructure such as power supply and utilities such as road network, water, waste treatment, and so on for businesses that will be located on the site.’
Such a strategy, he noted, would ‘enable manufacturers to focus on their core business of manufacturing rather than adding the role of power generation, road construction, etc.’ to their operations.
While assuring the Abia State Government of the preparedness of the NCDMB ‘to share our experience with you to ensure this Park becomes a success story,’ he disclosed that the pilot phases of NOGaPS at Emeyal 1 in Bayelsa State and at Odukpani in Cross River State are ‘at the final stages of completion, and both will come on stream soon.’
While assuring the Abia State Government of the preparedness of the NCDMB ‘to share our experience with you to ensure this Park becomes a success story,’ he disclosed that the pilot phases of NOGaPS at Emeyal 1 in Bayelsa State and at Odukpani in Cross River State are ‘at the final stages of completion, and both will come on stream soon.’
Engr. Wabote appealed to the people of Abia State to give their complete cooperation to the State Governor, contributing to the project’s success.
In his own address, Governor Alex Oti said, ‘Our vision is clear and our goal direct: we want to responsibly harness the abundant oil and gas reserves within Ukwa for the economic development of the communities within the State and the regions connected to this project location.’
He reassured the people of his Administration’s resolute determination to turn that vision into reality, and he made an earnest appeal for their support.
In addition, the Governor voiced the Government’s appreciation for the many distinguished guests who graced the invitation to partake in the groundbreaking ceremony. He sent his regards for a safe journey as they headed back to their respective destinations.
The AIIP is designed to include a Technology Innovation Center, a Contemporary Vehicle Assembly Plant, a Power Generation Facility, a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Manufacturing Plant, an LPG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Tank Farm, a Haulage and Warehousing Complex, an Agricultural Storage and Processing Facility, a Mini Seaport, a Five-star Hotel, and a carbon-neutral residential development.
