GOV. OTTI COMMITTED TO IMMEDIATE FLAG-OFF, DELIVERY OF ABA COMMERCIAL SMART CITY.
Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed interest in the immediate flag-off and delivery of the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City.
Governor Otti stated this on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Government House, Umuahia, during a business meeting with the leadership of the Aba Commercial Smart City project. Gov. Otti charged the project partners to fast-track their plans to achieve the project as discussed.
He directed the DG/CEO of the Public Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Office, Mr. Chinedu Chijioke, to handle the details and move the State towards the flag-off of the project. The Governor noted that Abia State does not believe in abandoned projects.
“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.
“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.
“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.
The Governor described the project as a potential game changer if delivered as discussed.
“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,” Gov. Otti stated.
The State Chief Executive appreciated that a lot of efforts have been made toward the project.
Also speaking, the CEO of Aba Commercial Smart City and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said achieving the project would bring back Aba to its original glory and stressed the need for all to support the project.
“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 stated.
While appreciating Governor Otti for showcasing capacity in governance, Prof. Nebo commended the PPP office and the entire Abia State Government team, describing them as professionals.
Earlier, the Board of Trustees [BOT] Chairman of Aba Commercial Smart City and former Inspector General of Police, Sir Dr. Mike Okiro, and the Founder and President of Aba Commercial Smart City, Ambassador Osita Offor [Ultimate Commander], said they came in response to the Governor’s earlier directive to present a financially realistic position of the project.
They informed the Governor that, through their financial adviser and partnering banks, they are presenting the initial 20 Billion Naira for the project. They thanked Governor Otti for giving them the leeway into the project.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor among other members of the State Executive Council were present at the meeting.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
August 7, 2026.
