Abia Moves to Revive Moribund Star Paper Mill

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia


Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that his government was presently engaged in negotiations to acquire the moribund Star Paper Mill, Aba and bring the industry back to life.

He made this known during a grand civic reception organised in his honour by the Abiriba Communal Improvement Union (ACIU) Thursday at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba.

Otti said that his government has already made a buyback offer to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which took over the Paper Mill after it shut down.

He also promised to restore light to Ohafia Local Government which has been in darkness for over five years following the vandalism of electricity infrastructures in the area.

The Abia governor noted that the hitherto blossoming Star Paper Mill had gone under thereby necessitating its takeover by AMCON, which is yet to revive it.

“I grew up here (in Aba), I was born here, I knew how important Star Paper Mill was, not just to Aba, not just to Abia State, not just to the East of the Niger, but to Nigeria,” Otti recalled with nostalgia.

“As we speak, we know that Star Paper Mill has been taken over by AMCON. But one thing you can take to the bank is that under our watch, Star Paper Mill will be back,” Otti assured Abia people.

Star Paper Mill, which in its hey days, ranked among Nigeria’s finest producer of exercise books, tissue paper and various paper products, was owned by a renowned Aba-based, Abiriba-born industrialist, Nnanna Kalu.

After his death, his son (now late) took over the management of the paper mill but the harsh economic climate dealt a devastating blow to the company, forcing it to close down over a decade ago.

On the cloud of darkness hanging above Ohafia LG, Otti stated that the affected communities would soon have light restored to the entire area.

He said that discussions were ongoing with Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for Abia State Government to acquire the Abia North and Umuahia ringed-fence of the EEDC coverage area.

“We are working very hard to ensure that the entire Ohafia Local Government begins to have power, not just power, but constant power. I heard the Mayor of Ohafia LGA say that he is discussing with EEDC,” the governor said.

“In a few weeks from now, the discussion will not be with EEDC, because we are buying out Abia North and Umuahia ringed-fence from EEDC so that it will be within our control.

“We have made the offer already and we are in discussions. We will soon conclude it and take it over completely,”  he added.

Otti commended the people of Abiriba for the “overwhelming” reception and expressed his gratitude for their gifts, including a coaster bus given to support him, adding that he has been enjoying a robust relationship with the Abiriba people.

In his remarks, the lawmaker representing Ohafia North State Constituency, Hon. Mandela Obasi, said that even though he belongs to a different political party, he must confess that Governor Otti “is doing well in office”.

The PDP lawmaker said that Abiriba people love Governor Otti hence the crowd that filled Enyimba Stadium to the brim “is not a hired crowd”, adding that “Abiriba people have much regards for Governor Otti.”

Both the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Anya Oko Anya and President General of Abiriba Communal Improvement Union, Chief Yuccee Otta Uwa, lauded Otti for his transformational projects that are changing the landscape of Abia.