ABIA STATE GOVT WITNESS THE SIGNING OF MOU OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ABA COMMERCIAL SMART CITY

Abia STATE GOVT WITNESS THE SIGNING OF MOU OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ABA COMMERCIAL SMART CITY

David Maduako –Umuahia

The Abia state government have on the 4th February 2026 at the banquet hall of government house Umuahia , witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Board of Aba Commercial Smart City and their other partners for the establishment of a Commercial Smart City in Aba the Enyimba City .

The Chief of Staff to the governor Pastor Caleb Ajagba who represented the governor Dr Alex Otti at the occassion said
governor Alex Otti came very prepared for governance and this is the reason why we are seeing this level of investment in the state and investors coming in to Abia to invest.

He maintained that today every sector in the state are functional adding that the smart city will significantly transform and modernize trade and commerce and create jobs for the people of the state .

He deeply appreciated all involved in the project adding that it’s a game changer. He maintained that Aba celebrated 90 days of uninterrupted power supply recently adding that even if the national grid collapses it will not affect power supply in the state.

Speaking, the group vice chairman of the Aba Commercial Smart City and one time Inspector General of Police, Dr Mike Okiro said they are in Umuahia to showcase the project. He said when the project is realized it will bring development, create job and wealth.

He recalled that in those days when you want to buy anything they will direct you to Aba but he regretted that gradually the glory left. He said through the smart city, Aba will take her rightful place again .

Speaking the President of the Board , the president of Aba Commercial Smart City, Ambassador Dr . Osita Offor who led the delegation and represented the group Chairman of the Board prof ositadinma Nebo said governor Otti is an Apostle of good governance and they have assembled the best brains for the project adding that those who are to partner in realizing the projects are here. He said all have been assembled to witness the unveiling of Aba commercial Smart City a public Private Partnership Development with Abia State Government’, an initiative of the governor Dr . Alex Otti . According to him , it is first of it’s kind in Sub-Sahara Africa and a bold stride towards positioning Abia state as a global gate way to Africa’s Commerce and industrial revolution .

He stated further that they are not just merely unveiling a project but igniting a future of prosperity ,innovation and Sustainable growth that will resonate far beyond the borders of the country .

In his address, the president of Leather Products ManufacturingAssociation LEPMAAS, Aba, DCN Confidence Nwaobilo said as producers of footwears, bags, belts, trunk boxes within the 15 clusters of markets in Aba, the Smart city project is very dear to their heart.

He said for years they have worked in an unfavorable condition in an unconducive domestic commercial buildings. He said they have faced sales of properties and relocation, scattered differently and unorganized system of operations. He said others in government markets use torchlight on their heads to work during the day because of darkness and lack of ventilation.

Mr Nwaobilor said the Aba smart city concept if given opportunity, will have industrial clusters of international standard, space for common facility center that will house their equipments that will be capable of producing forty-eight thousand pairs of shoes a day among other benefit that they will enjoy.

Enlightening the people on the project through a giant screen, the manager, technical services of Aba Commercial Smart City, Mr David Okoro said the smart city is a historic project which will have significant impact in not just Abia state but the country at large

On the vision, Okoro said the smart city will be built on four core pillers of manufacturing, commerce, medical, hospitality, smart housing, logistics efficiency and smart energy. He noted that the smart city will not just be a market place but a resilient city where business will thrive based on intelligence and connectivity.

“The Aba Commercial Smart City is Nigeria’s first integrated smart commercial city an enduring symbol of prosperity through enterprise. It is designed to unlock profitable and social impact while building resilient, prosperous Abia state’. He stated

Those present are the occasion are bankers from different banks and Captains of Industries among others
End .