Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has announced plans for the construction of a multi-billion naira agro-industrial processing facility in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
Otti made this declaration on Wednesday while commissioning the reconstruction of the 11.27-kilometre Mbala-Umuaku-Ngodo Road.
He revealed that Umunneochi is one of three selected sites for the agro-industrial facility, a project intended to revolutionise the state’s agricultural sector.
“This facility is designed to radically enhance the agricultural ecosystem by integrating production, aggregation, and processing of agro-commodities,” the governor stated.
He explained that the initiative would boost food production, strengthen value chains, and create export opportunities. Implementation is set to commence soon, positioning the facility as a major economic driver that will support farmers, agribusinesses, and the local economy.
Governor Otti also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly road rehabilitation, to facilitate seamless transportation of goods and people.
Additionally, he instructed the Commissioner for Works to inspect the deteriorating Nmam Bridge and propose necessary intervention measures.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, lauded the state government for prioritising road infrastructure, noting its significance to economic growth and community development.
“I am thrilled because I know how much the people of Umunneochi value good roads,” Onyejeocha remarked. She also urged the government to rehabilitate the Nmam Bridge to ease vehicular movement.
In his address, Chief Amobi Ogah, the Federal Representative for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Constituency, described the project as a unifying development for local residents. He further appealed for the rehabilitation of Uturu Road to provide a direct link between Umunneochi and Isuikwuato without requiring detours through Imo State, which would significantly reduce travel time.
Commissioner for Works, Mr Otumchere Oti, commended the governor’s commitment to rural development through strategic infrastructure investment.
“The Mbala-Umuaku-Ngodo Road runs through a corridor populated by agrarian communities that produce commercial quantities of cassava, cashew, yam, and black beans,” he explained.
He lamented that the poor state of roads had long hindered agricultural marketing, but assured that the reconstruction project would remove these barriers, enhancing market access for farmers.
“The road project, which has a contract period of one year, includes a 6-metre-wide carriageway with 1-metre-wide shoulders. It will feature culverts, drainage systems, and streetlights in developed areas, alongside necessary signage and road markings,” Oti elaborated.
He urged residents to cooperate with contractors to ensure smooth project execution.
The project was widely commended by Umunneochi Constituency lawmaker Chief Matthias Umeh and Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, who both highlighted its strategic importance to Abia’s economic growth. They praised the governor’s ongoing infrastructural initiatives across the state.
