Columns/Opinions/Letters - Abia ThinkTank News

Dec

2024

Would Otti’s Pro Business Programs Expand ABIA State’s Economy In 2025/2026? – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance

Would Otti's Pro Business Programs Expand Abia State's Economy in 2025/2026? Last month, Abia's Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, declared in a private meeting that he has laid out and implemented a series of programs and projects in the three senatorial zones of the state, drawing immediate appreciation from business leaders of those zones. “Most of the programs rolled out would likely prompt pro-poor growth, leading to expanded opportunities for enterprises,” a business man Chidi Umeh in Isiukwuato said. An importer of used fabrics in Aba, Kalu Nwojo, said he’s expanding more patronage come 2025/2026 as he's expecting higher purchasing…

Dec

2024

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SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg In Round Hole – By Pius Nzewuihe

Columns/Opinions/Letters, FGN, Politics, South East

SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg in Round Hole The wisdom of the sponsors of the bill for the establishment of South East Development Commission at the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu’s commitment for an overall equitable national developmental agenda cannot be over-emphasized. To drive home his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has in no mistakable terms demonstrated his vision to place the country on a fresh developmental map among comity of developing nations through regional development commissions Aside South East Development Commission (SEDC) charged with the responsibility of “reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered…

Dec

2024

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PDP ABIA Crying Wolf Where Non Exist – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Politics

PDP ABIA CRYING WOLF WHERE NON EXIST. We have read with interest the release by the Abia PDP signed by its publicity secretary Mr. Erik Ikwuagwu accusing the government of Abia state of suppression of dissent and opposition voices. Nothing can be far from the truth as this amounts to crying wolf to attract undue sympathy. When the newly appointed Abia PDP exco were inaugurated, they went overboard in their bid to play to the gallery and impress their paymasters that they had arrived by forming what they called a 'Shadow Government'. They were immediately cautioned and warned not to…

Dec

2024

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2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria’s Fiscal Landscape And ABIA State: Matters Arising – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, IGR

2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria's Fiscal Landscape and Abia State: Matters Arising Nigeria's 2024 tax reforms aim to transform the country's fiscal landscape, and Abia State is no exception. The Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, established in 2023, is driving these changes. Here are key aspects of the reforms: Harmonization of Taxes: The committee proposes streamlining over 60 taxes and levies to a single-digit number, reducing the burden on citizens and businesses ¹ ². Digitization of Revenue Collection: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a USSD code for tax payment, making it easier and more convenient…

Dec

2024

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Abia’s Flight To Progress: The Airport Project That’s Taking Shape – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy

Abia's Flight to Progress: The Airport Project That's Taking Shape Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D. Abia State is on the threshold of a transformative journey, courtesy of the airport project that's gaining momentum. The proposed airport, initially approved as an airstrip by the Federal Government, has been upgraded to a full-fledged airport, thanks to Governor Alex Chioma Otti's tireless efforts. This development is a testament to the Governor's vision of opening up Abia for investment flow and socio-economic growth. With the airport, Abia State is poised to become a hub for commerce, industry, and tourism, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The…

Dec

2024

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President Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration

Columns/Opinions/Letters, FGN, Oil & Gas, Politics

Tinubu Advised To Reduce Fuel Price To N300/Litre For Xmas, New Year Celebration Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reduce the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol to N300 per litre between December and January. He said this would enable Nigerians to have a joyous and merry Christmas. A litre of fuel is presently sold at about N1,100 and N1,200 per litre across the country following the removal of fuel subsidy. Tinubu had on assumption of office in 2023 declared an end…

Dec

2024

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Re-2025, Sustaining The Momentum: A Budget For Growth: Addressing The ‘Concerns’ Of Our ‘Friends’ Of ABIA State – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Politics

Re_2025, Sustaining the Momentum: A Budget for Growth: addressing the 'concerns' of our 'friends' of Abia State As the State welcomes the 2025 Abia State budget of ₦750.3 billion, tagged "Sustaining Momentum," some of our well meaning friends have raised concerns about its feasibility and effectiveness. Presented by Governor Alex Otti, the budget represents a 30% increase from the 2024 budget of ₦524 billion. Some of the concerns expressed are: Lack of sectoral analysis, they claim that the budget fails to provide a sectoral breakdown, making it difficult to understand how funds will be allocated to various sectors such as…

Dec

2024

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Economic Outlook For 2025: ABIA State’s Opportunities – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance

Economic Outlook for 2025: Abia State's Opportunities Abia State's economic outlook for 2025 is promising, driven by its strategic location in the Niger Delta region, abundant natural resources, and emerging industries. In my humble opinion, let's look at some key sectorial assumptions in state. We must start our analysis with the sector that directly affects over 80% of the populace - Agriculture, we are all witnesses that the state has vast agricultural potential, with crops like rice, cassava, and maize being major contributors to the state's GDP. Investment in irrigation systems and farming infrastructure will boost productivity. Abia state's Oil…

Dec

2024

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Abia State’s 2025 Budget: Sustaining Momentum, Driving Progress – By Ebere Uzoukwa Ph.D (SSA On Public Affairs To Gov. Otti)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

Abia State's 2025 Budget: Sustaining Momentum, Driving Progress Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D. Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR has once again demonstrated his commitment to advancing Abia's development with the presentation of the 2025 Budget to the Abia State House of Assembly. The proposed budget, titled "Budget of Sustained Momentum," amounts to ₦750,282,200,000, representing a 30% increase from the 2024 budget. This significant increase reflects the administration's ambitious goals, despite the economic challenges posed by inflation and exchange rate volatility. The budget allocates ₦611.7 billion (82% of the total budget) to capital projects, aiming to drive long-term socioeconomic transformation in the state.…

Dec

2024

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Every Moment Is A New Chance: The Socioeconomic Benefits Of New ABIA State Airport Project Engagement

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, Politics

Every Moment is a New Chance: The Socioeconomic Benefits of the New Abia State Airport Project Engagement The Federal Government team from the Ministry of Aviation visited Abia State to inspect a proposed site for the airport. The team, led by Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, aimed to ensure the land and location align with regulatory requirements for airport siting. Governor Alex Otti mentioned that the state government had identified a suitable location, and he emphasized the importance of the airport's location, stating that it was crucial for the project's success. The airport project has…