Revealed: While Opposition Plans Political Meetings, Otti’s Government Launches Refinery and Massive Rice Projects in Abia

As opposition camps plot, Governor Otti launches refinery and massive rice farming projects. Find out what’s happening behind the scenes.

… As critics gather, Alex Otti’s government moves ahead with a 10,000-barrel-per-day refinery and food security initiatives.

By All Facts Newspaper | 29/4/2025

As opposition figures scramble to gather political allies and launch verbal attacks across Abia State, the Alex Otti-led administration is quietly delivering on its development promises — this time with a game-changing oil refinery and large-scale rice farming projects.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed during this week’s Executive Council briefing that Abia State will commence the construction of a 10,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery at the Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP), Ukwa West, by May 2025.

The project, to be handled by HSI, marks a major leap toward industrializing the state, creating thousands of jobs, and enhancing the local economy. Prince Kanu confirmed that site preparations — including bush clearing and compensation payments to affected landowners — are already underway.

While some political actors are stuck in backward politicking, the Otti administration is focused on delivering infrastructure and economic empowerment for Abians.

In a parallel move to boost food security, the Ministry of Agriculture is set to flag off the wet season rice farming programme next week. Under its In-Growers Scheme, the project will cover over 8,500 hectares of farmland across Abia North’s rice-producing communities. Notably, 400 verified farmers in Ndi-Okereke, Abam are currently cultivating over 500 hectares, with an additional 150 hectares already in production in Owerenta.

To ensure sustainable management of the recovered state-owned plantations, the Abia State Government has extended the Expression of Interest (EOI) submission deadline for prospective investors to May 15, 2025. This is to attract more credible and competitive investors, eliminating the era of political patronage in government assets.

In another bold move to eliminate fraud and politicization in agriculture programs, the Ministry has rolled out a data-driven farmer enumeration process. The system will geo-map and verify all beneficiaries, ensuring that only genuine farmers receive state support — a sharp contrast to the previous administrations where politicians hijacked farming schemes.

Prince Okey Kanu reaffirmed that these projects reflect Governor Alex Otti’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, economic revival, and transparency in governance. He was flanked by the Commissioners for Petroleum and Agriculture, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity during the briefing.