ABIA: GOVT TO COMPENSATE NON INDEGINES DISENGAGED IN 2011

Abia State government says plans are in motion to resuscitate moribund industries in Aba, including Aba Textile Mill and Star Paper Mill.

Governor Alex Otti disclosed this in Aba, at a reception organized in his honour by the Union of Anambra State Associations, Aba Branch at the premises of Chief Leo Okoye (Udu Ako Mmiri) in Aba.

In his speech, Governor Otti said the Government through some partnerships would be engaging and training young people in various MSMEs with the aim of making Aba, the natural hub for fabric, textiles and leather products.

“We are negotiating with the people that acquired the Aba Textile Mill. We want to return it to life.”

“As a government, we are interfacing with AMCON. We want to acquire the Star Paper Mill and bring it back to life.”

“These are industries that were set up by our fore-fathers. They were visionary. So, if we cannot do better than them, we cannot explain why we are in this world.”

“So, it is a challenge. I want the support of everyone, so that we return our State to what it used to be.”

On the issue of re-engaging 154 Anambra indigenes who were disengaged from the Abia State public service in 2011, Governor Otti said he would take a look at their plight with a view to considering a fair resolution, even though it happened long before he came to power.

“A list of 154 people who were disengaged in 2011 has been submitted. I have taken the list and I will ask my people to look at it. I see that majority of the people were teachers and I don’t know how old they are, but if they are under 65, we will be able to work out an arrangement where we may re-engage them on contract basis.”

“We have a shortage of teachers, and because we don’t agree that somebody who lives here is not from here, that action in 2011 was illegal.”

“So, I will ask the Head of Service to look at it, those who are of retirement age, we will find a way to compensate them and those below the retirement age and still willing to work will be re-engaged.”

“As I said, this is not limited to Anambra indigenes. I think some people that are from Imo and other States in the Southeast may have been affected.”

“What we are trying to do is to redress the wrong that was done in the past,” Gov. Otti stated.”

“So, for us, that thing called State of origin, we have already abolished it. I maintain, if you live here and you are a good citizen, you pay your taxes here, you are from here,”

He appreciated the Anambra people for the support they have given him since 2023 and said that his administration does not know the difference between Anambra and Abia but regards everyone as the same.

In their goodwill messages, the member representing Aba Central State Constituency, Hon. Stephen Ucheonye, the President General, Anambra State Unions Association, Aba Branch, Chief Obiora Nwakpadolo, Ide John Udeagbala and the host, Chief Leo Nnodi Okoye appreciated the massive infrastructural development of Governor Otti in Aba and other parts of the State and said that his style of governance and achievements made so far informed their decision to host him.

Other notable Anambra industrialists including Comrade Uche Okafor, Chief Chidiebere Ezenwaoba, Chief Sir Humphrey Eberechukwu Nwachukwu and Chief Odinaka Nwakaibe while commending the Governor for his infrastructural strides lauded his decision to revitalize some moribund industries in Aba.

The Governor was joined by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the mayor of Aba North LGA, Hon. Timothy Iheke, the mayor of Aba South LGA, Hon. Obilor Anyanwu, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, and the former President of the Chartered Institute of Accountants, Chief Onyeuku Chidi Ajaegbu among others.