Abia state Governor Alex Otti has condemned the pulling down of buildings and business premises allegedly belonging to Igbo people in Lagos.
The governor who made the condemnation while speaking on a number of issues during a media parley with journalists, on Friday night, described it as unfortunate.
Gov. Otti noted that his administration was working assiduosly to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and that he believes what they are doing will attract businessmen and companies to come and do business in Abia.
“If we build the enabling environment in Abia, companies will come. We believe that what we are doing will attract businessmen to come and do business in Abia”, he said.
On the issue of alleged expenses on food by his government, Otti said there is no truth in the allegations as they are unfounded and a hatchet man’s job.
“There is nothing like that. It is a hatchet man’s job. The truth of the matter is that it is about falsehood. This is a government that is very prudent in the way it handles funds”, he pointed out.
Furthermore, Otti used the opportunity to explain that he was not working or living in the Government House because his predecessor commissioned an incomplete building while the old Government House was left in a dilapidated state.
On tourism, the Abia State Chief Executive said, “We are not unmindful of some tourist centres, including the National War Museum, Umuahia. We believe that tourism must be supported in terms of ancillary businesses and industries, including good roads, secure environment and acceptable hotels. First thing first. Let us create the enabling environment first before looking at tourism.”
He also assured of the realisation of Abia Industrial Innovative Park, AIIP, in Ukwa West, disclosing that already, a Chinese company and a Nigerian company are struggling for the bid.
He added that, though capital intensive, his administration has concluded plans to start the fencing of the former cattle market at Lokpanta, adding that amusement parks will soon return in Aba and Umuahia “as we have it in mind.”
Otti allayed people’s fear that he might not be comfortable with the higher number of opposition party members at the state House of Assembly, stating that the Abia State lawmakers are concentrating on development, while adding, “I do not think I will have a problem with them”, noting further that they are there for oversight “and are supporting us”.
