Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
The governor-elect of Abia State, Mr. Alex Otti, yesterday, inaugurated a 100-member transition committee to lay “a solid foundation” preparatory to the take-off of his administration come May 29.
Speaking at the event held in the commercial city of Aba, Otti specifically saddled the committee with the responsibility of articulating a policy document which would chart the direction and developmental agenda for Abia.
The committee headed by Mr. Victor Onyenkpa, Partner and COO, KPMG, would evolve a policy direction in tandem with the vision the governor-elect has for Abia State as contained in his manifesto and campaign promises.
Otti explained the significance of his choice of Aba for the inauguration ceremony instead of Umuahia, the capital city, saying that Enyimba City would be the centrepiece of the economic and infrastructural development plan of his administration.
He said: “We have chosen Aba for this inauguration today because Aba is the heart beat of Abia economy despite the fact that it has been abandoned for many years by successive administrations.
“We want to build an industrial hub with steady power supply, renewable energy and other solid infrastructures for the economy of the state to grow.”
On the preponderance of professionals and technocrats in business in the transition committee, Otti said it was informed by the need to lay a strong foundation for the rescue and development of Abia.
He hinted on the size of his incoming government pointing out that “we intend to run a slim government in terms of political appointments”.
However, the governor-elect added that the ultimate intention of his incoming administration is “to create enough opportunity for businesses to thrive and succeed in the state.”
The transition committee chairman, Onyenkpa, in his response stated that the task before the committee is to produce a road map that would aid Otti, to meet up with the expectations of the residents of the state.
He acknowledged that the task before his team was enormous but assured the governor-elect that the committee members have accepted to do the job assigned to them.
According to him, “Alex Otti, is expected to perform a miracle concerning the transformation of Abia State and our Job is to give him a road map that would help him to perform that miracle.”
