Abia, KCHAqua, medicine dealers unite for CWC project

By Vincent Kalu

The Abia State Government’s parley with Aba drug sellers and the KCHAqua Consortium, a construction, infrastructure and property development firm, has paved the way for the realisation of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) project.

The meeting, held yesterday to promote mutual cooperation among stakeholders, was attended by state government officials, representatives of KCHAqua Consortium and leaders of the Aba Drug Dealers Stakeholders Association of Ekumi; Ariaria Zones A, B, and C; Henken Plaza; NAPMED Tenant Road Branch; Eziukwu Road and Ngwa Road.

In his introductory remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Enem, emphasised the government’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens through sustainable development initiatives and people-oriented programs. He also introduced KCHAqua Consortium as the company granted approval-in-principle (AiP) to execute the CWC project, while cautioning drug dealers against impostors posing for the project.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Kingsley Nwokocha, urged the drug dealers to remain engaged in the process, assuring them of government support to ensure that every stakeholder is carried along before the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Also speaking, the Director of the Public-Private Partnership & Investment Promotion Office, Mr. Uchenna Nnaomah, said that before KCHAqua Consortium was granted AiP, it had satisfied the stringent and rigorous scrutiny set by the government.

“The journey started in September last year, and a number of companies applied for the project, but some could not make it to the finish line. The PPP office scrutinized them diligently, and in the end, KCHAqua Consortium satisfied the conditions and was granted approval-in-principle,” he said.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board of KCHAqua Consortium, Chief Victor Amuta, commended the state government for convening the meeting and assured stakeholders of the consortium’s commitment to delivering a world-class CWC facility. He added that the management of the company had graciously approved a waiver of the fee for obtaining the expression of interest form for the project.

The Chairman/Coordinator of the Aba Drug Dealers Stakeholders Association, Chief Elvis Anoruo, expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for providing land for the project and assured the consortium of members’ full support toward its success.