Abia State Government has said that contrary go speculations, it has not backed out on the airport and seaport projects it recently embarked upon.
Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, made the clarification yesterday in Umuahia.
He said the projects were borne out of Gov.Theodore Orji’s determination to bequeath meaningful projects to the people, adding that the proposed seaport at Obuaku, Ukwa West Local Government Area will boost commerce in the South East region.
According to him, even if the projects are not fully completed before the expiration of Orji’s tenure, substantial work will have been done for successive administration to complete.
He said, “Despite the capital intensive nature of both projects, Government decided to embark on them considering their importance to the economic transformation of the state.
“The state had acquired massive land, spanning from Obolo in Ikwuano LGA to Olokolo in Umuahia South LGA for the airport project.
“The proposed seaport project had already received the approval of the State Executive Council, and a committee has also been set up for speedy implementation of the project,” he stated.
According to him, reserved land will also be acquired for the airport project at Isialangwa North for future expansion.
Chikamnayo explained that the nearness of Obuaku to the Atlantic Ocean informed the choice of the town for the project, which will be the second seaport in the South East Geopolitical zone after Onitsha.
He said, “When completed, both projects would tremendously boost economic activities in the state, even as he flatly debunked insinuations by pessimists who express fear that the projects could end up as government white elephant projects.”
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