Of Abia 2023 And Dr Alex Otti’s Audacity -By Chiechefulam Ikebuiro

Abia State is endowed with abundant human and natural resources that have the potential to drive its development. The state has a population of skilled and talented people, vast agricultural land, mineral resources and is an oil producing one.

Sadly, lack of good governance and leadership has contributed to the state’s underdevelopment. We have had infrastructural decay, insecurity, poverty and unemployment (currently at 51% higher than the national average of 33%) ravage us.

Civil servants, teachers and Pensioners who should be reaping the fruit of their labours are being reduced to beggars. It is unfortunate that these people who have dedicated their time and efforts to serving Abia are facing such misfortune!

It is unfortunate that the leadership in Abia state over the years, has not been able to meet the expectations of the people.

It is time to have capable and visionary leaders at the helm, who can utilize Abia state’s resources and potentials for sustainable development.

With the governorship elections just a week away, it is important that Abians act to change this status quo.

I have gone through the manifestos of the leading contenders and I believe there is hope.

Of the lot, Dr Alex Otti, the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate, has presented a manifesto that seems to aim to rebuild Abia State. From what I see, I believe he understands the challenges facing Abia, I believe he has done his homework, and I believe he is ready to take them on.

I believe he has a different mindset/orientation from the status quo with an untainted and impeccable reputation. I also believe that with his experience in the banking industry and as an economist, he could potentially stimulate growth and transform Abia state into a prosperous and sustainable state.

Dr Alex Otti is a renowned banker and economist who previously served as the CEO of Diamond Bank, where he achieved major success. In fact, his time as CEO of the then Diamond bank was described by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, as the “brightest years of Diamond bank’s history”.

His proposed comprehensive plan to address the challenges facing Abia state is a positive step towards achieving this goal.

For example, one of the key aspects of his manifesto is his plan to set up a ministry dedicated to the development of Aba, with the aim of transforming it into a model city. This is a laudable idea, given that Aba has the potential to become a major economic hub in Africa with its thriving manufacturing sector and abundant human resources.

That Aba is known for its thriving small and medium-scale industries-the “made in Aba” industries, is a fact. However, infrastructural challenges, lack of government support, and the influx of cheap foreign products have made these industries suffer. Dr Alex Oti has promised to restore the glory of “made in Aba” products by raising awareness and creating a market for them-locally and internationally.

By setting up a dedicated ministry, Dr. Alex Otti aims to ensure that the
development of Aba is given the attention it deserves. The ministry would be responsible for coordinating and implementing development projects in the city, including the provision of basic infrastructure, as well as the promotion of investment and entrepreneurship. There are also plans to provide access to finance and credit facilities for small business owners and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

The plan to make Aba a model city also includes a focus on waste management and environmental sustainability. This is such an important aspect of development as it not only enhances the quality of life for residents, but also makes Aba more attractive to investors.

Another key takeout for me from that manifesto, is his plan to attract investment into Abia state, with a particular focus on diaspora remittance. This is an extremely important idea that buttresses the fact that he has a clear understanding of governance and is indeed ready; given that remittances from the diaspora are a significant source of IGR and development.

This audacious plan involves creating an enabling environment for diaspora investment as well as streamlined bureaucratic processes. He also aims to establish a Diaspora Investment Fund, which would be used to finance development projects across Abia state. This is a smart move as it shows he recognizes the potential of the diaspora to contribute to the development of God’s own state. If implemented efficiently and effectively, this plan will help Abia attract much needed investment as well as accelerate its development such that it’s a win win for both the state and the diaspora.

Dr Otti also plans to introduce a well-trained public service so as to greatly enhance the quality and effectiveness of service delivery to Abians. Equipping public servants with the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise to perform competently and efficiently with a high degree of professionalism -to meet the ever- evolving needs and the demand of the public, cannot be over emphasized. I believe this will help to improve the quality of public service in Abia, increase efficiency and productivity, as well as enhance public trust and confidence in government.

A Part of Dr Alex Otti’s holistic framework for funding projects across frontiers includes Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme. By leveraging private sector investment to address critical infrastructure needs, Otti, if he succeeds with this, may have unearthed a major policy tool to spur economic development in Abia.

At times of great economic strain such as these, the proposed use of counterpart funding to encourage community participation in development projects, albeit too ambitious in my opinion, can be a master stroke and a great way to supplement government spending. The community’s contribution may not necessarily be in cash but in kind such as labour or materials. I believe this approach, if well Implemented will encourage community participation as well as give a sense of ownership, control and sustainability.

Dr. Alex Otti’s proposition of establishing cluster farming (grouping of farmers into clusters or cooperatives) and extension of credit facilities to move agriculture away from subsistence farming is encouraging. He plans to provide farmers with access to credit facilities to enable them to invest in modern farming techniques. With this, I foresee an increase in yields, reduction of post-harvest losses, and improvement in the quality of agricultural products as well as standard of living of farmers.

Dr Alex Otti’s ambitious (some too ambitious) plans cut across improving healthcare, rebuilding infrastructure, and tackling corruption. He also proposes introducing a performance evaluation mechanism to ensure accountability among civil servants and political appointees. The plans to promote job creation, social transformation, and education, et al are heavy on details.

I believe Dr. Alex Otti’s manifesto is ambitious and if effectively implemented, if (or should I say when) elected, could potentially restore Abia State’s glory and transform it into a prosperous state.

Over to you Ndi Abia, oruela n’omume!

Chiechefulam Ikebuiro

chiechefulamikebuiro@gmail.com