Abia State Governor Alex Otti has directed accelerated development of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park in Owaza, revealing plans to relocate a steel plant from another state to the facility.
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has directed the new management of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP), Owaza, to accelerate the development of the facility, disclosing that a steel plant currently operating in another state is being relocated to the industrial park.
Otti said the planned relocation, despite the significant financial and logistical costs involved, demonstrated investor confidence in the project, which his administration is positioning as a centre for industrial production, commerce and innovation.
The governor gave the directive on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while receiving his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, and members of the State Executive Council, who briefed him on their inspection of the project site in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
The delegation was accompanied by the newly appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AIIP, Sandra Ivonye-Ntofon.
The team had visited the facility to introduce the new managing director to the host community and facility managers, assess existing infrastructure and identify essential improvements needed to attract investors.
Speaking during the meeting, Otti expressed confidence in the project’s prospects, stressing that the immediate priority was to accelerate implementation and recover time lost since the groundbreaking ceremony.
“The issue is not whether that place will be successful. It is about how quickly you can achieve that,” the governor said.
He disclosed that feasibility studies for the park had been completed, adding that its combination of industrial production, innovation and commercial activities could make it a significant driver of economic growth, employment generation and investment in Abia State.
Otti assured the new management of his administration’s support, including the provision of resources required to commence operations.
He also acknowledged the need to secure the facility and directed the Commissioner for Works to assess and begin work on a shorter access road connecting the expressway to the industrial park.
The governor congratulated Ivonye-Ntofon on her appointment, maintaining that appointments under his administration were merit-based and that the recruitment process for the park’s leadership was designed to identify qualified and competent candidates.
Earlier, Ajagba said the inspection was intended to evaluate the facility and determine the infrastructure requirements needed to meet the expectations of the state government, Abia residents and the international business community.
He said the delegation received an enthusiastic reception from the host community, adding that the industrial park was designed to attract companies capable of supporting industrialisation across Abia State, particularly the Ukwa West corridor.
“With the coming on board of the new MD, we will reinforce this administration’s commitment to building a virile economy for Abia State,” Ajagba said.
The member representing Ukwa West State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Godwin Adiele, said the park was envisioned to accommodate multiple industries and serve as a national industrial and innovation hub.
Adiele expressed optimism that the facility would improve livelihoods and stimulate development in Ukwa West and neighbouring communities. She also commended the governor for locating the project in the area.
She pledged to support efforts to accelerate development, noting that the completion of the site acquisition process and the cooperation of her constituents provided a basis for moving the project forward.
“Our goal is to give Ndi Abia a reason to be proud of a world-class industrial and innovation park located in their state,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the host community, the Traditional Prime Minister of Igiriukwu Autonomous Community, Owaza, Chief Uche Nwele, thanked the state government for leading the delegation to the project site.
Nwele assured the new managing director of the community’s cooperation in efforts to develop the facility and achieve its objectives.
In her remarks, Ivonye-Ntofon thanked Otti for the confidence reposed in her and pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to advance the industrial park’s development.
Members of the delegation included the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu; Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Prof. Joel Ogbonna; Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna; Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije; and Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Mr. Kachi Etuluo, was also present, alongside other government officials.
The planned relocation of the steel plant adds to the investment prospects associated with AIIP, although the plant’s name, relocation timeline and expected production capacity were not disclosed in the briefing.
The industrial park is intended to attract manufacturing and other productive businesses to Owaza, with the potential to support employment, strengthen industrial activity and expand economic opportunities in Abia State.
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