In a strategic effort to enhance the ease of doing business and create a more conducive environment for residents and investors, the Abia State Government (ABSG) has announced plans to establish a comprehensive industrial policy for the state.
To actualise this objective, the government has constituted a committee charged with developing and implementing the policy.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Government House in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to him, the decision to introduce an industrial policy follows the extensive transformation witnessed across various sectors of governance and the institutional reforms carried out by the state government over the past 31 months.
“Abia State Government believes the time has come to put in place an industrial policy that will deliberately drive the state’s industrial development,” Prince Kanu said.
He noted that the state, through its Ease of Doing Business Agency, has made significant progress in improving the business environment and that the industrial policy would consolidate these gains.
“In the coming weeks, when the policy is ready, the public will be invited to a session where it will be officially launched,” he added.
Prince Kanu explained that the industrial policy, combined with an improved ease-of-doing-business framework, would attract investments, promote development, and position Abia as a competitive destination by leveraging its resource endowment and management capacity.
The Commissioner also revealed that the state government has initiated fresh plans for urban renewal in line with the Abia State Development Plan (2025–2050). The initiative will be implemented through the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), and Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA).
He stated that the urban renewal programme would focus on critical infrastructure improvements, including street naming, house numbering, and geo-referencing, to promote orderliness and stimulate economic growth.
“Many of our cities lack properly named streets and numbered houses, making navigation difficult and inefficient. This creates confusion and affects planning, security, logistics, and digital services,” Prince Kanu explained.
He added that the absence of standardised addresses also poses serious challenges during emergencies such as fire outbreaks, where responders struggle to locate affected areas.
“Standardised street naming and house numbering create order and significantly enhance investor confidence,” he said, disclosing that the government would soon appoint a project manager to oversee and drive the initiative.
Prince Kanu further reported that the Ministry of Works carried out direct labour projects at 49 locations across the state during the review period. Of these, three projects were completed, one new project was added to the ministry’s maintenance portfolio, while 31 road projects are currently under contract and ongoing at various locations.
On transportation, he said the pilot rollout of electric bus services is progressing smoothly, with residents continuing to enjoy free rides. So far, 77,774 commuters have benefited from the initiative.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, were present at the briefing.
Leave a comment