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Governor Alex Otti launched Abia Business Roundtable, aiming to boost information flow and private sector ties to drive business growth and economic prosperity in Abia State.
At the Abia Business Roundtable held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Gov. Otti spoke on “Opportunities, Partnership and Prosperity”, saying the initiative aims to align govt policies with private sector expectations.
According to him, the roundtable was created to reduce the challenges that often arise when bureaucrats design public policies without sufficient input from the business community.
He noted that insights and contributions from breakout sessions and panel discussions during the event have been documented for evaluation and possible incorporation into government policy design and implementation strategies.
The governor emphasised that for markets to function efficiently, governments must provide an enabling environment through investments in critical infrastructure, institution building, maintenance of law and order, and policies that reward enterprise and encourage innovation.
Otti explained that modern economies require a balanced relationship between government intervention and private sector activity.
“In an environment like ours, the private sector can only thrive when government plays a definite but measured role in the management of the economy,” he said, noting that advanced economies often combine regulatory frameworks with targeted government involvement.
He referenced historical global economic disruptions such as the Great Depression and the Subprime Mortgage Crisis, stating that lessons from these events have influenced how governments worldwide shape economic policies.
The governor added that major economies such as China and the United States demonstrate that both government and private sector roles are essential for sustainable economic growth.
He explained that from the beginning of his administration, the Abia government resolved to lead in building the framework for long term economic stability while creating opportunities for private sector participation.
Otti said this informed the government’s decision to invest heavily in infrastructure while granting a six month tax holiday for small businesses to reduce barriers to productivity.
According to him, studies conducted by the government showed that poor road infrastructure, security challenges, unreliable electricity supply and multiple taxation were the major constraints limiting private sector participation in the state’s economy.
To address these concerns, the administration launched a large scale road infrastructure restoration programme beginning with economically strategic areas of the state.
He said the initiative was particularly aimed at reviving business activities in Aba and Umuahia, where collapsed road networks had significantly affected manufacturing and commercial operations.
According to the governor, rebuilding roads was essential to reconnect factories with markets, restore customer access and revive confidence within the business community.
Otti noted that restoring hope to entrepreneurs was a key objective of the administration, explaining that many businesses had shut down or relocated because of declining confidence in the business environment.
He revealed that more than 80 per cent of the state’s annual budgets in 2024, 2025 and 2026 have been committed to capital projects aimed at rebuilding infrastructure and stimulating economic activity.
The governor expressed appreciation to business leaders and development partners who participated in the roundtable, describing their engagement as critical to transforming Abia into a major investment destination.
He also commended the Director General of the Abia Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Chinetum Chiyoke, and his team for initiating the programme.
Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribole, welcomed captains of industry, development partners, government officials and business leaders to the strategic engagement.
Meribole said the roundtable was designed as a practical platform for dialogue between government and the private sector aimed at driving economic transformation in the state.
He explained that the administration’s reform agenda is built on four pillars: transparency, institutional discipline, infrastructural renewal and private sector led growth.
According to him, investors require predictability, infrastructure readiness and governance stability, noting that fiscal discipline and improved public financial management systems have been introduced to provide those assurances.
The SSG also emphasised the importance of security in economic development, revealing that the government is strengthening collaboration with federal security agencies, improving intelligence sharing and expanding community based security initiatives.
He added that the government is embedding security considerations into economic planning by protecting industrial corridors, logistics routes and critical infrastructure.
On infrastructure development, Meribole said the government is rehabilitating key road networks to reconnect production centres with markets, while urban renewal initiatives are underway to restore commercial confidence across major cities.
He disclosed that strategic projects, including the proposed airport initiative, are being positioned to enhance logistics and connect producers directly to regional and national markets.
“Infrastructure for us is not simply an expenditure; it is an economic strategy,” he said.
The SSG further noted that reforms in healthcare, education, sanitation and skills development are aimed at strengthening the state’s human capital and supporting productivity across sectors.
He added that Abia already possesses a strong entrepreneurial workforce capable of scaling industries in manufacturing, agro processing, mining, logistics, healthcare and innovation.
“Investors coming into Abia are not starting from zero; they are refining and scaling existing capabilities,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Abia Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Chinedum Chijioke, said the agency is responsible for ensuring that public private partnerships in the state are professionally structured, fairly allocated, sustainably financed and effectively delivered.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing bureaucracy, improving investor support services and addressing investment challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, land acquisition issues and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Participants at the roundtable were encouraged to share insights on business opportunities, constraints and strategies to enhance the state’s competitiveness.
Officials also announced plans to host a major investment summit in June 2026 aimed at showcasing economic opportunities across the state.
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