EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD
Governor Alex Otti’s industrial policy is a bold vision to transform Abia State through industrialization and infrastructure investment designed to drive economic growth, revive entrepreneurship, and create sustainable jobs for the people. His approach rests on the conviction that true development requires a strong industrial base supported by dependable infrastructure.
For decades, Aba and its environs, which once stood as the heartbeat of local enterprise in Nigeria, suffered neglect and abandonment. Industries such as the Star Paper Mill, the Aba Textile Mill, and Modern Ceramics in Umuahia collapsed under the weight of poor leadership and mismanagement. Their closure resulted in massive job losses, discouraged private investment, and weakened the economic foundation of the state.
Governor Otti has set out to change that narrative. He has unveiled a clear strategy to revive moribund industries, attract new investments, and create an enabling environment for business. A major part of this plan is the acquisition and revival of the Star Paper Mill in Aba from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria. At its peak, the mill was a major producer of exercise books, tissues, and other paper products, and stood as a source of pride not only for Aba but also for Abia State and Nigeria.
The government does not intend to run the mill as a state-owned enterprise. Instead, it plans to acquire and restore it, then hand it over to competent private sector managers while ensuring that ownership and profits remain accountable to the Abia State Government. This arrangement will guarantee efficiency, create new revenue for the state, and prevent the waste and inefficiency that often accompany government-run businesses.
The revival of the Star Paper Mill will restore thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate small and medium businesses, and provide much-needed paper products for schools, publishers, and other industries. It will also rekindle investor confidence in Aba as a centre of enterprise and mark the beginning of a new industrial era in Abia.
Governor Otti’s commitment to industrial revival is supported by his massive infrastructure development programme, particularly in road construction. The construction and reconstruction of key roads such as Port Harcourt Road in Aba, Ossah Road in Umuahia, Ngwa Road, Ohanku Road, and several rural routes are strategic. Good roads reduce transportation costs, expand market access, and attract new investments. They allow goods and services to move freely and make businesses more competitive.
The governor is also addressing the critical challenge of power supply, which has stifled industry for decades. His administration is working towards securing greater control of electricity distribution in Abia to guarantee stable power for homes and industries. Reliable electricity is essential for the revival of factories such as the Star Paper Mill and for sustaining wider industrialization across the state.
Governor Otti’s model is straightforward. Government will provide the foundation and enabling environment, while the private sector will drive operations, efficiency, and expansion. This collaborative approach is consistent with global best practices and represents the surest path to sustainable industrial growth.
The acquisition and revival of the Star Paper Mill is therefore more than an economic project. It is a declaration of Abia’s rebirth and a symbol of hope for its people. It reflects Governor Otti’s thoughtful and pragmatic style of governance, one that places people, jobs, and sustainable growth at the very centre of development.
– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs.