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Uche Nwosu
Abia State government is partnering with foreign companies for the conversion of numerous wastes in the state into energy and wealth.
The initiative, according to the governor, is aimed at generating millions of dollars to the state’s coffers.
Dr Alex Otti, the governor of the state who disclosed this in Umuahia said the initiative is to make the huge debris generated in the state a durable source of income rather than a source of disease and discomfort.
Governor Otti who spoke during his October 2025 edition of his monthly media parley tagged “Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians”, explained that his administration has since inception made the collection and disposal of wastes a priority in the scheme of things, adding that the declaration of state of emergency on wastes has been fruitful so far.
He said, “We are now moving to the next stage of waste management, and that is proper waste treatment, recycling, and turning the waste into wealth.
“We have done extensive studies. We find out that it is very expensive. So, while it is going to cost some money, I would believe that, like it has been done in places like Austria and other parts of Europe, we will be able to turn the rubbish into gas, methane, and also power.
“We have started engaging with potential partners. And then we also have some strong cooperation from some institutions and industries that work in other States.
“So, some partnership agreements have been signed. So, in the near or distant future, we will flag off the waste-to-wealth initiative in the State”.
On the continued criticisms of his administration by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, Otti described Kalu’s attacks on him as a cheap way of discrediting him in order to position himself for the governorship race in 2027.
According to him, the Deputy Speaker’s attacks are more of ignorance and arrogance than rightly informing the people on what the state government is doing.
On the what his government is doing to revive ailing and moribund industries in the state, the governor asserted that the acquisition of some moribund industries by the state like the Star Paper Mills limited has been concluded.
Others to be acquired, he added, include the Afro-Leverages in Aba, Aba Textile Mills limited, Modern Ceramics PLS Umuahia etc.
“Recently, we also concluded and our offer has been accepted also for Afro-Leverages. I believe it’s on Aba – Port Harcourt Expressway. The company is still running. It’s also a growing concern. Today, it’s owned by AMCON.
“So, we have made an offer that has been accepted and we are going to pay AMCON in seven installments, starting from next month. As soon as all the paperwork is completed, we will take ownership of those companies,” Gov. Otti stated.
On why the government is acquiring moribund industries, Otti informed that “the whole idea, like I had always mentioned, is not for us to run or even own them but to create jobs and improve internally generated revenue of the state.
“We believe that government is an enabler. I’m sure that if an individual went to acquire those companies, they would probably not succeed. So, the idea is to acquire those companies, get experts to come in and partner with government, to run it as private institutions.
“The whole idea is that we want these companies to come back to life as major employers of labour for our young people”.
On the education, the Abia governor stated the government has made tremendous progress on the education sector, pointing out that over 4,000 teacher would be recruited to add to the over 5,000 who had just begun teaching.
To make the schools better for learning, Otti informed that some school buildings which were dilapidated has been pulled down while others are on the verge of being removed for reconstruction
He explained that health sector has also been given a reasonable boost, saying that 771 health professionals are recruited in Abia.
He further said that for the health sector, non-Nigerians were part of candidates that applied for the current recruitment exercise of health workers in the state, adding that the process has remained transparent.
On security, the governor called on all Nigerians to be security conscious and report all security breaches to the appropriate quarters, even as he advised Abia indigenous to endeavour to visit the newly completed Michael Okpara Auditorium to see the good works of his administration.
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