The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has signed into law the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
Otti, who spoke shortly after assenting to the bill, said the establishment of the Greater Aba Development Authority is to give Aba a special focus as a commercial hub.
According to the Governor, “Everyone who had followed the process of the campaigns and elections would have remembered that we have said that we needed a special focus on Aba which is a commercial nerve centre of the State.”
The Governor said that Aba combines what many cities have individually, adding that, it is not just a commercial zone but an industrial hub where “we have all sorts of light manufacturing, heavy manufacturing, micro small and medium scale businesses, trading.
“Virtually every street in Aba is a market, even though we are working and organising them, but it is a strength that we recognise. When we invest heavily in infrastructural renewal in Aba, it is because we recognise the potential that Aba has and we believe that if we improve on the ease of doing business, we attract a lot of businesses.”
Otti congratulated the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, his colleagues in the House of Assembly, as well as members of the State Executive Council, on the passage of the executive bill and stated that with the law, Aba rejuvenation has gotten legal backing to bring about the needed development in Aba.
Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna while presenting the bill earlier to the Governor for his assent, noted that the executive bill was passed into law by the State House of Assembly on 8th December 2023.
He said that the Greater Aba Development Authority bill is now the first Governor Alex Otti is signing into law and congratulated the Governor on achieving that feat.
Director General of the Greater Aba Development Authority, Uche Ukeje described the law as a special vehicle that would drive the development of Aba and realise the Governor’s vision of Enyimba City.
He said the law would create an integrator authority that integrates all the efforts of the Ministries in a bid to bring the needed development in Aba.
Those present at the event include the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kalu; Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Luke Onyeani; Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma among other top government officials.
