Abians, Nigerians, World Upbeat As Governor Otti Transforms Aba To Commercial Smart City

 By Charles Ogugbuaja, Ph.D.

Recently, another quantum leap was recorded in Abia State. This time, the dream of according and transforming Aba, an emerging modern industrial hub, with a full status of a commercial smart city status, is gradually and legally coming to fruition with full seamless economic  activities, comparable to cities in many advanced democracies.

It is evident that almost each day, a new encouraging inclusive -centred sustainable growth is added to Abia State, and pushed to the public glare with attendant core benefits accrued to Abians. It is now a reality that Abians are always waiting for what a new day beholds them from the side of the present administration.

The Governor of God's Own State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has not failed Abians in delivering the dividend of democracy to them since he took the oath of office and oath of allegiance in May 29, 2023. He translated the aspiration recently as he met with a crop of investors and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the mission to expand commerce, technology and industrialization of Aba, with Private Public Partnership (PPP), arrangement.

According him, all the paraphernalia befitting a Commercial Smart City will not be lacking in Aba when the project is fully actualized. This is a dream about to come true. With the completion of signing necessary legal instruments, the city, in conjunction with the state government, will be hosting a conglomerate of business personalities and captains of industry, more than ever before. In fact, they will relocate to Aba, soon. They will not leave until they finish the Aba Commercial Smart City (ACSC), project, with the construction and putting in place the necessary structures.

At the end of the day, as a matter of urgency and necessity, in a few months away, the city would be boasting of about 150,000 young ones, securing direct and indirect jobs. This is creativity at work, courtesy of Governor Otti and his Initiative.

The project, the governor informed, will provide and unlock huge economic potentials and opportunities for focused artisans, traders, manufacturers, professionals, transport operators, and service providers, expanding the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) base. 

In his words, Governor Otti promised: "This project is not just about infrastructure; it is about jobs, wealth creation, technology transfer, and restoring Aba’s pride of place as the manufacturing capital of Nigeria."

He pointed clearly that the ACSC project would "stimulate industrial growth; attract foreign and local direct investment, reduce unemployment, and create a structured ecosystem where businesses can thrive under modern, secure, and efficient conditions."

Apart from the above, it is designed that the smart city initiative would play out to tangible results as below just as the economy designers had projected. 

In this vein, the ACSC has far reaching, benefits, economic and chain values.

Cascading, the plans include the following thematic areas:- 

*To Create sustainable employment opportunities for youths and skilled workers,

* Enthrone a regime of revitalising Aba’s manufacturing and trading heritage,

*Boosting of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) through access to modern infrastructure,

* A robost upscale of Abia State’s revenue profile through taxes, leases, and service charges,

*Decongesting the existing markets and improving structured urban planning, 

*Scaling up and enhanced Nigeria’s non-oil economy through export-driven manufacturing sector,

*Attract regional and international investors into the South-East corridor;

*In addition, Aba and Abia State,via the ACSC, is projected to serve as a national commercial nerve centre, supporting supply chains across Nigeria and strengthening the country’s position in regional and sub-regional trade within Africa;

* As an economic enabler, the ACSC project is designed around tailored integrated smart-city principles, including,

*   *An automated and technology-driven manufacturing clusters ;

*Structured modern markets and commercial zones;

*Erecting smart housing and mixed-use real estate developments;

*Inclusive advanced logistics and warehousing facilities;

*Existence of functional healthcare and medical service hubs;

*Putting in place state -of-the-art comfortable hospitality, conference, and leisure facilities;

*Assured reliable power solution -based, anchored on smart energy systems; and

*Functional Digital infrastructure to support fintech, e-commerce, and innovation enabled facilities.

With its strategic location around the Aba–Osisioma axis and a robust PPP financing structure, the ACSC, would translate to a bold step toward inclusive and sustained growth, anchoring an industrial revival, and sustainable urban development in Nigeria.

With the above institutional commercial framework for the ACSC, the future is guaranteed for Abians, Nigerians and the world, by extension. Patience and commitment of all are cardinal to realize the PPP initiate.

The investor confidence is assured with the level of commitment and enthusiasm displayed, after signing the MoU.

This is going to be realized in a few months time, by the grace of God of Governor Alex Chioma Otti.

As usual, please wait and see what will happen.

Dr. Ogugbuaja, wrote this article from Umuomainta,-Nbawsi-Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State.

15-02-26

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