NEWS
“In Abia State, We Don’t Have Abandoned Projects” — Abia State Gov. Alex Otti Says, Moves to Fast-Track Aba Commercial Smart City
The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has directed stakeholders involved in the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City project to fast-track the necessary processes for its immediate flag-off and implementation.
Governor Otti gave the directive on Friday, August 7, 2026, during a business meeting with the leadership of the Aba Commercial Smart City project.
The Governor charged the project partners to move beyond planning and accelerate the steps required to bring the ambitious development into reality, stressing that the availability of funding remains critical to transforming the vision into a tangible project.
He directed the DG/CEO of the Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Sir Chinedu Chijioke, to handle the necessary details and move the State towards the flag-off of the project.
“In Abia State, we don’t have abandoned projects.
“Any project that we cannot see to delivery does not even kick-start.
“So, that’s the reputation we have built, and we are not going to depart from it,“ Governor Otti said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to completing projects it undertakes
The Governor noted that the Smart City project had reached a critical stage, following efforts by the promoters and financial partners to establish a realistic funding framework.
He explained that while ideas and visions were important, actual implementation depended on securing the resources required to execute them.
“We have been on this Smart City project. Like the Ultimate Commander himself said, after the last meeting, we needed to move from the drawing board to implementation.
“The only way to implement a project is when there is funding. You can have beautiful visions; they remain visions. They can’t be a project until there is money. I am happy that we are at that point where a lot of efforts have been made.
“So, it would be nice to fast-track what you are doing so that we can get to the point of flag-off, and it’s only when we have flagged-off that people will begin to expect completion,“ Governor Otti stated.
Governor Otti described the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City as a potentially transformative project that could further reposition Aba as a modern commercial and economic hub.
He said the project reflects the direction of global development, where technology and smart infrastructure are increasingly shaping cities, businesses and economic activities.
“It promises to be a game changer if we deliver what we had discussed earlier. That’s the direction the world is going, technology, everything smart.
“So, if there is anything we can do to fast-track it, I am happy to do that,“ Governor Otti stated.
The Governor also appreciated the efforts already made by the project promoters and their partners, while assuring them of the State Government’s readiness to facilitate the processes required to move the project towards implementation.
Also speaking, the CEO of Aba Commercial Smart City and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said the successful completion of the project would play a major role in restoring Aba’s economic prominence.
Nebo commended Governor Otti for his administration’s development efforts across the State, describing the Smart City initiative as another major project capable of leaving a lasting legacy in Aba.
“This vision will bring back Aba. This project alone, in addition to the myriad of things you, Gov. Otti, have done, will have your name engraved. This is a project that all of us need to support,“ Prof. Nebo said.
He also commended the Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office and the wider Abia State Government team, describing them as professionals who have contributed to advancing the project.
Earlier, the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman of Aba Commercial Smart City and former Inspector General of Police, Sir Dr. Mike Okiro, alongside the Founder and President of Aba Commercial Smart City, Ambassador Osita Offor (Ultimate Commander), explained that they were at Government House in response to the Governor’s earlier directive.
They said their visit was to present a financially realistic position of the project and demonstrate the readiness of the project’s financial partners to proceed.
According to the project leaders, their financial adviser and partnering banks are presenting an initial ₦20 billion for the project.
They thanked Governor Otti for giving them the leeway to pursue the initiative and expressed their commitment to working with the State Government to move the Aba Commercial Smart City from the drawing board to implementation.
With the Governor’s directive for the process to be accelerated, the project now moves closer to the anticipated flag-off, with stakeholders expected to complete the remaining financial and admin
istrative arrangements necessary for commencement.