Governor Alex Otti of Abia State had said he is not opposed to the Enyimba Economic City project.
He, however, insists that all the processes surrounding the development must be transparent and properly executed.
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Mr Otti disclosed this on Thursday when members of the reconstituted Board of the Enyimba Economic City Development Company paid him a courtesy visit in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia.
He said that his administration remained pro-business and committed to supporting investments that complied with due process and protected the interests of the state and its people.
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“So I’m not against any Enyimba Economic City, but I believe that there are things that were not properly done and they should be done properly.
“But having said that, since the matter is subjudice, I’ll leave it at that,” the governor said.
Otti narrates how disagreements over the project began
Governor Otti said that his administration’s decision concerning the land for the project was based on concerns over the processes through which the land was acquired and the lack of relevant documentation.
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According to him, the state had initially sought to retain about 1,000 hectares for the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.
“About how we got here, when we had our meeting, it was about the company sitting over about 1000 hectares out of the close to 10,000 hectares.
“I think it’s about 9,803 hectares of land, spanning through Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West and we were setting up the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park.
“So, after the meeting, the company agreed, only to renege later and asked us to go to the federal government.
“So, what we did was, since the land belongs to us as a government and since we couldn’t take only 1,000, we revoked the entire C-of-O and took the 1,000 that we required.
“I’m just going into this out of respect and this matter is now before the court, so, ordinarily, I would say it’s subjudice until the court finishes with this matter.
“Subsequently, I think the matter went to arbitration and some monies were awarded to the government,” Mr Otti said.
He further said that documents available to his administration indicated that Abia State Government was entitled to only six per cent equity in the company, despite the substantial size of the land involved.
“Even the documents I have shown you say that the government has six per cent of the equity.
“I was just asking myself, so you give 10,000 hectares of land in Abia and you have six per cent equity?
“I would not do that kind of deal,” the governor said.
He also expressed concern over claims that compensation had not been paid to some original landowners, resulting in multiple court cases.
He said he had no objection to investors acquiring land for project, provided the affected communities were properly compensated and appropriate agreements reached.
“If Enyimba Economic City goes and acquires those lands, pays the people, and they have an agreement, you should come and I will give them C-of-O or title documents. I don’t have a problem.
“I support businesses. People are acquiring land; once you do the right thing, I have no problem,” Mr Otti said.
He said that his administration would continue to support genuine investments, while insisting on transparency, fairness and accountability in dealings involving public assets.
He congratulated members of the reconstituted board, expressing confidence that their experience would help address outstanding issues surrounding the project.
The governor reassured the board that his administration would remain focused on governance and the welfare of the people, despite disagreements over the project.
He said that leadership must always prioritise the welfare and security of the people, describing any departure from such responsibilities as selfish leadership.
He thanked the board for its visit and expressed the confidence that their intervention would contribute to resolving the issues surrounding the project within the ambit of the law.
‘Our critical request is for your forgiveness,’ the visiting delegation tells Otti
Earlier, the Chairman of the board, Sam Ohuabunwa, said the visit was aimed at introducing the new board to the governor.
Mr Ohuabunwa described Otti’s administration as a demonstration of the dividend of democracy, saying that residents could now see tangible improvements in infrastructure and other sectors.
READ ALSO: Otti commends Geometric Power for restoring electricity in Aba, seeks multiple gas sources
He said the board had also examined the disagreement between the company and Abia State Government and described the dispute as puzzling, given that Abia was a partner in the Enyimba Economic City project.
He said the board was not interested in reopening old wounds, but was seeking forgiveness and an opportunity to rebuild the relationship with the state government.
“Enyimba Economic City project is important not only to Abia but also to the South-east geopolitical zone and Nigeria.
“Our critical request is for your forgiveness and forbearance in all the ways that things did not happen the way they ought to have happened.
“We should begin to see how we can walk back, repair the relationship, rebuild it and move forward together,” Mr Ohuabunwa said.
He also said the board was ready to work with the governor to ensure that the project achieved its objectives.
He said nothing should interrupt the development process already initiated by the administration.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Enyimba Economic City project was initiated by the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as Abia’s industrial and economic hub.
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