Otti unveils industrial park for oil and gas

Gov Alex Otti unveils and flags off construction of Abia State Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) for oil and gas manufacturing.

An official said the Park will build critical capacity in manufacturing, modular refineries, and establishment of LPG and CNG plants.

Gov Otti confirmed during the event that the facility, located at Owaza in Ukwa West LGA, will prioritize gas production.

Consequently, Abia State Government is woing major players in the gas value chain to invest in the Park.

The AIIP, Otti said, will make history “as the first cluster in Nigeria, where LPG, CNG, Jet fuel, PMS and Diesel production tank farms will be co-located with other supporting infrastructure for more efficient and commercial production of made-in Nigeria liquid fuel.

“This will help eliminate the liquid fuel scarcity problems in the country and in line with President Tinubu’s policy thrust on domestic utilization of the country’s abundant natural gas resources,” he said.

“It is an ambitious project but we are determined to go all the way for the state and the people who have put so much faith in us deserve no less,” he declared.

He used the groundbreaking event which took place last Saturday, 30 September 2023, to sell Abia as an investment destination.

“If you have anything to produce, Abia should be number one in your consideration because the opportunities here are boundless.

“The people are hardworking, innovative and self-driven.

“The park, when completed, will drastically reduce the cost of production through reliable and affordable power supply.”

Another attraction, he said, is AIIP’s “proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which is just about 30 nautical miles away.”

Finally, the State intends to seek federal approval to designate AIIP as an export processing and free trade zone, he concluded.

Gov Otti expressed confidence that the Park will be the “largest and most integrated industrial park in West Africa,” which will attract many local and international investors.

Deputy Speaker of the Federal House, Hon Benjamin Kalu who attended the event expressed support for the project.

The AIIP project, he said, holds the potential to sustain economic growth, generate employment opportunities, and position Abia as a hub for innovation and industrialisation.

The APC legislator pledged to look beyond political affiliations to support economic growth efforts that improve the lives of citizens.

Top oil industry executives attended the event as well. Among them were CEO of Shell Petroleum, Mr Osagie Okunbor, and an Executive Director with Total Energies, Mr. Obi Imeremba.

Others were Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote, and Mr. Morgan Umahi representating Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone.