Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening collaboration with key Federal Government agencies to accelerate renewable energy development, attract strategic investments, and strengthen the state’s business environment.
The Governor made the commitment on Thursday, August 6, 2026, while receiving separate delegations from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV) at Government House, Umuahia.
Receiving the delegations, led by their respective Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers, Governor Otti expressed appreciation for their presentations and assured them of his administration’s readiness to work closely with the agencies to deliver tangible development outcomes for the people of Abia.
Welcoming the Managing Director of MOFI, Dr. Armstrong Takang, Governor Otti thanked him for returning to Abia barely two weeks after their previous engagement in the state, and assured him of the government’s full cooperation in ensuring that Abia maximises the opportunities available through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.
Earlier, Dr. Takang noted that an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MOFI and the Abia State Government was yet to be fully implemented, and stressed the need to operationalise the agreement, expressing confidence that measurable progress would be achieved within weeks.
He said MOFI remains committed to fulfilling its expectations in partnering with Abia State.
On renewable energy, Governor Otti expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of the state’s partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency despite its enormous potential, but assured that decisive action would be taken within two weeks.
“Just watch us and see what will happen in the next 14 days. And it’s very interesting to watch this presentation. So, I would like to have another session with you, because some of the information, the data you captured here, is data that I need to work with.
“So, I would like us to just sit down. But you can be sure that you will hear from us within the next 14 days. And I think the lowest hanging fruit is this one that you have, like 10 States,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Dr. Abba Aliyu, disclosed that the agency has completed a nationwide mapping of communities requiring rural electrification and is currently deploying 1,000 mini-grids across states in the country.
He recalled that a MoU was signed with the Abia State Government last year but observed that implementation had not progressed as expected. He, however, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support the state once it demonstrates renewed commitment to the project.
On the proposed partnership with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (PI-CNG & EV), Governor Otti assured the delegation that land would be made available for the proposed green mobility plant and pledged to appoint a state focal person to coordinate engagement with the initiative.
“We also need to engage further. My mind is telling me that land should be around Aba. For the simple reason that there’s a lot of traffic. It has to be strategically located. Actually, on the road. So, I can assure you that we will engage with you further on this,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor observed that the electric buses introduced by the state have continued to perform efficiently and have strengthened Abia’s commitment to clean energy transportation.
He added that compressed natural gas (CNG) would provide an attractive alternative for owners of conventional vehicles who wish to convert them, thereby expanding the state’s green mobility ecosystem.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of PI-CNG & EV, Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, said the initiative had taken note of Governor Otti’s transformative efforts in Abia and was eager to establish a strategic partnership with the state.
He disclosed that the agency plans to position Abia as the CNG hub of the South-East through the establishment of a clean mobility plant.
According to him, PI-CNG & EV is also collaborating with MOFI on several investment initiatives in the state and intends to organise a Clean Mobility Investment Forum with Abia playing a leading role.
Barr. Ahmed requested the allocation of land within a major traffic corridor for the proposed green mobility facility and also urged the Governor to designate a state focal person to facilitate seamless engagement with the initiative.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Strategy Officer to the Abia State Government, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, alongside other key members of the State Executive Council.
