Smart cities to spring up in Abia, as government partners firm
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has expressed its interest to partner Africa Rebirth Vision to grow smart cities in the state.
The state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, gave this indication during a business meeting with a delegation from the African Rebirth Vision which came with a proposal to build New Abia Smart City, a project the Governor said resonates with his vision.
The Governor said his administration already had plans to build the Diaspora Village exclusively for Abians living in the diaspora but later decided to change the concept of restricting the proposed village, for which two locations in Umuahia and Osisioma have already been marked out, for only the diaspora community but to make it open for every interested Abian.
He said the government would study the firm’s Smart City proposal and marry it with government’s plan.
“A lot of Nigerians in diaspora had reached out to indicate interest in what we had earlier called Diaspora village, but then, in our reflection, we thought it shouldn’t be restricted to the diaspora community. So, we changed the concept. What we will now do is to sit down with you to see how we can marry what you have brought with what we have,” Dr. Otti said.
Welcoming the Smart City proposal, the Governor added: “I am quite pleased to learn about this vision – Abia Smart City and it ties very well with our own vision. I am also amazed to hear about your building technology where you said you can deliver homes in two to three weeks, it’s something we would like to explore.
“Of course, the smart city is something that is on the table at the moment. We have identified a few locations, at least two, one in Umuahia, another around Osisioma in Aba. I think what we need to do is to sit down and drill down and look at the details,” the Governor added, assuring the delegation that “government will deepen discussions with them so as to make the proposal a reality.”
Earlier in his speech, the President and Founder African Rebirth Vision, Engr. Chuka Nwokoro, said that the company has assemblee the very best and leading companies around the world as partners to deliver on their proposal, adding that their company, which built the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Owerri, Imo State, 34 years ago, has all it takes to deliver a brand new Smart City for Abia.
Engr. Nwokor also said that apart from the proposed Smart City project, his firm has carried out a detailed survey of available resources in the state, describing Abia as rich in numerous mineral deposits.
He said that Governor Otti has, within one year in office, strived to draw the attention of the international community to the investment opportunities in the state, pointing out that all his company needs was land and security to enable it to execute the proposed project.
The delegation included the President of Smartmatic, Dr. Khodr Akil, a development partner from the United States and Terra Dlier, among others.
