- Assures NB Plc of conducive business environment
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has lauded President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi over the scope of work done on the dilapidated Aba section of the Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway.
This is even as Otti has assured Nigerian Breweries Plc of his government’s willingness to create conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
Governor Otti who made the commendation while inspecting the progress of work at the Ukwa and Obigbo end of the Expressway under reconstruction by the CCECC, a Chinese construction firm, said his administration was collaborating with the Federal government to ensure the road was reconstructed and put to use this Yuletide.
He said he embarked on the inspection visit to ascertain the progress of work done so far.
“The Abia State government is collaborating with the Federal government to ensure that this road which has been unutilized for a very long time is got ready as quickly as possible.
“Last week, precisely on Friday, I was with the Honourable Minister of Works. The Minister assured me that they have the instructions of the President to ensure that this road is available for use to motorists by or before the Yuletide of this year and I have come to see for myself the progress of work.
“I can see the seriousness of the contractor. Coincidentally, the contractor, CCECC are also working for us in Abia State. We have an Engineer permanently posted to them here on site, giving us daily reports. And I am impressed.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Alhmed Tinubu, Minister of Works , Engineer David Umahi and the contractors who are working so hard to make sure that this road is put to use as soon as possible”, the Governor said.
Meanwhile, Otti has assured of his administration’s readiness to create conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.
Governor Otti gave the assurance when he received in audience the management of Nigerian Breweries Plc who paid him a business visit.
He promised that his administration would do everything possible to support the NB Plc and other genuine businesses in the state to remain afloat.
The Governor informed that his government has reformed the Internally Generated System (IGR), introduced the Treasury Single Account (TSA), as well as legislated on multiple taxation, all in the bid to enhance ease of doing business in the state.
The Governor urged the company to be a good corporate citizen and to create more job opportunities for the people and promised to look into one of the requests of the NB Plc team, to repair the road leading to the company’s facility.
The Corporate Affairs Director of the company, Shade Morgan, who led the team, had earlier on behalf of the company’s managing director, Mr. Hans Essaadi, told the Governor that the NB Plc has been operational in Aba since 1967 and has continued to invest in the state.
While informing the Governor that the company has been discharging its social corporate responsibilities by constructing and renovating classroom blocks in many communities among other investments in the state, she highlighted some of the challenges confronting their operations to include poor state of road leading to the company and requested the Governor to address the deplorable 1.7 km road to retain investments in the area.
Morgan who commended the Governor for introducing the Treasury Single Account system which she noted will enhance ease of doing business, and granting waiver for their trucks, restated their commitment to partnering the state government.