Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has affirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to enhance industrialization in Abia.
Otti conveyed this stance during a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation from UNIDO in Nvosi, within the Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state.
Emphasizing the state’s eagerness to engage with UNIDO, Otti highlighted key areas for potential partnership, including renewable energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and the establishment of a petrochemical refinery.
He commended UNIDO for its extensive expertise across critical sectors like agriculture and support for small and medium-scale enterprises, as well as its contribution to industrialization policy development.
Expressing his contentment with UNIDO’s familiarity with Abia’s needs and potential, Otti acknowledged the organization’s pivotal role in advancing industrial development through collaboration with the state government.
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He said that industrialization in Abia remained a top priority on the government’s agenda for rebuilding, citing the inception of the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP) project as evidence of this commitment.
He said, “Today we have the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park and I believe this is a good time for you to come on board. Looking at the feasibility studies, the areas we are looking at include the industrial park, petrochemical refinery, renewable energy, manufacturing and other areas of engagement. All the areas you have highlighted align with the objectives for starting the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park project.”
Mr. Otti reaffirmed the government’s commitment to furthering industrialization in the state through ongoing discussions with the organization.
Previously, Dr. Rueben Bamidele, the National Programme Officer of UNIDO, highlighted the collaborative efforts dating back to 2008, where UNIDO, alongside the government and the Nigerian Import and Export Council, established a common facility center for garment and leather manufacturers in Aba.
Dr. Bamidele emphasized UNIDO’s mission as a specialized agency of the United Nations, focusing on industrialization for poverty alleviation, inclusive globalization, and sustainable development. He underscored the organization’s goals of fostering shared prosperity and enhancing economic competitiveness through cooperation with member states and other entities.
Furthermore, Dr. Bamidele outlined UNIDO’s initiatives aimed at environmental protection, knowledge enhancement, and facilitating technological transfers from developed nations to Nigeria.
He stated, “In Nigeria, we have the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) that binds UNIDO and the government of Nigeria. The PCP has components which cover areas such as industrial governance, statistics and research, the value chain development particularly with agriculture and mining. The components of PCO also cover the special economic zones, industrial parks and industrial cluster development, and trade capacity building. Others are MSMES development, renewable energy and environment.’’
(PeoplesGazette)
