From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has signed into law the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) bill. The bill was recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
Speaking after assenting to the bill, Otti said the establishment of the GADA was to give Aba a special focus as a commercial hub.
“Everyone who had followed the process of the campaigns and elections would have remembered that we have said that we needed a special focus on Aba which is a commercial nerve centre of the State”
Otti stated that Aba combines what many cities have individually, adding that, Aba is not just a commercial zone but an industrial hub where
“we have all sorts of light manufacturing, heavy manufacturing, micro small and medium scale businesses, trading. Virtually every street in Aba is a market, eventhough we are working and organizing them, but it is a strength that we recognize.
“When we invest heavily in infrastructural renewal in Aba, it is because we recognize the potentials that Aba has and we believe that if we improve on ease of doing business, we attract a lot of businesses.
Otti gave kudos to the Speaker and members of Abia State House of Assembly for the passage of the executive bill, adding that with the law, Aba’s rejuvenation has gotten a legal backing to bring about the needed development of the city.
Presenting the bill earlier, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna said the executive bill was passed into law by the State House of Assembly on December 8.
He noted that Greater Development Aba Authority is now the first bill Otti is signing into law.