Both park & proposed seaport will be ready in 24 months as funds for them are on ground –Alex Otti

The Abia State Government has commenced moves to construct a seaport to service its proposed construction of an industrial park in the State.

Speaking at the 74th Independence anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China, Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti, said the state would need the support of both the Chinese government and their investors.

Gov. Otti also said both the park and the proposed seaport will be ready in 24 months as the funding for the projects are ready.

He disclosed that the seaport will service exporters, as an export processing zone will be created in the park.

He stated: “We are setting up a very large innovation of an industrial park and the flag off will happen on Saturday the 30th of September and it promises to be the largest industrial park in Nigeria.

‘‘The sitting of the Industrial Park in Owaza is because of the presence of oil and gas in the area. By the time the park is up and running, we will have 24 hours of power supply, there will be a modular refinery.

“The best decision has been made and off-course there will be industrial and manufacturing activities in addition to the residential part of the park, so it is a very big project. Interestingly, virtually all money required to set up the park is now ready.

“So those are some of the projects we are working on now.

‘‘The port project is still a proposal because Owaza is about 25 nautical miles to the Atlantic Ocean; so we believe that with a little dredging it will be part of the facility of the industrial park.

“The seaport will access to an export processing zone and it is going to be a free trade zone.

‘‘We have a timeline of 24 months from the 30th of September when we do the groundbreaking.”