Otti says Abia seaport will happen in our generation
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Abia seaport project, with feasibility studies currently being undertaken by a Chinese firm.
Alex Otti, Governor of Abia State, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to realising the Abia seaport project. Governor Otti made the declaration on Friday as the State Government celebrated Ikechukwu Chidozie Madubuike, a former Minister of Education and Health, on his 83rd birthday in Umuahia.
The governor congratulated Madubuike on his milestone birthday and the unveiling of three books written by the elder statesman, describing him as an exceptional scholar, accomplished administrator, family man, and one of Abia’s finest intellectuals. “For us in Abia, we believe that we must celebrate our heroes while they are alive because any society that does not honour its heroes will lose its identity. Professor Madubuike has earned this celebration through a lifetime of scholarship, integrity and service,” Otti stated.
While responding to suggestions from the celebrant and other speakers, the governor highlighted the remarkable transformation underway in the education sector, particularly at Abia State University, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, and Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, as well as in the healthcare sector. He revealed that his administration had rescued the university from years of neglect through extensive rehabilitation of hostels and learning facilities. At the polytechnic, he said that lost accreditations had been restored, while cutting-edge programmes in Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and 3D Printing had been introduced.
Governor Otti reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the Abia Seaport project, noting that feasibility studies are underway by a Chinese firm to facilitate funding. “We are serious about building the Abia Seaport, and it will happen in our generation. We are equally committed to delivering world-class healthcare and education because that is the future we owe our people,” Otti assured.
Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the occasion, described Madubuike as a patriotic Igbo man, amiable and academic giant, who played significant roles in the establishment of Federal Medical Centres in Igboland. Ngige, who thanked Governor Otti for honouring Madubuike, commended the quality of roads delivered by the governor, and advised that he should use campaign periods to inspect projects. He noted that Abia was in “Siberia” before the emergence of Governor Otti and appealed to Abians to sustain their support for him to enable him complete his constitutional eight years in office.
The Abia seaport project has been a long-standing aspiration for the state. Previous administrations have made similar promises, but none have come to fruition. Governor Otti’s commitment, backed by feasibility studies by a Chinese firm, suggests that this time may be different. However, seaport projects are notoriously complex and expensive, requiring federal approvals and massive investment. The journey from feasibility study to operational port is a long one.
This mirrors the 2010s push for the Ibaka Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, which also attracted feasibility studies and political commitment but has yet to materialise. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: ambition meeting reality.
The winners: Abia State, which stands to gain a major economic asset, and the investors who will build the port. The losers: previous administrations that failed to deliver, and the Nigerian public, which has heard seaport promises before.
Bottom Line: Governor Otti says the Abia seaport will happen in our generation. The feasibility studies are underway. The question is whether this generation will see a port or just another promise.