Abia State Governor Alex Otti clarifies stance on Enyimba Economic City project, emphasizes transparency
Abia State Governor Alex Otti stated he is not opposed to the Enyimba Economic City project but insists on transparent and properly executed processes. Speaking during a visit from the reconstituted Board of the Enyimba Economic City Development Company, Governor Otti highlighted concerns regarding the land acquisition process and insufficient documentation. He noted that his administration's decision to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy for the entire land was due to the company reneging on an agreement to allocate 1,000 hectares for the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park. Governor Otti also expressed dissatisfaction with the state government's six percent equity in the company despite the substantial land contribution. Furthermore, he raised concerns about unpaid compensation to original landowners, which has led to multiple court cases. He affirmed his support for genuine investments, provided that affected communities are properly compensated and appropriate agreements are reached. Mr. Sam Ohuabunwa, Chairman of the board, acknowledged the dispute and sought to rebuild the relationship with the State Government, emphasizing the project's importance to the South-East geopolitical zone and Nigeria.
