Business Day (Nigeria)

Abia’s policies designed to support industries, attract new ones - Otti

- By Godfrey Ofurum, Aba

GOVERNOR Alex Otti of Abia State has said that his Administra­tion’s policies are geared towards supporting existing industries and attracting new ones.

The governor stated this when he met with Lin Shanbiao, managing director and management team of the Inner Galaxy Steel Company Limited, a Chinese conglomera­te operating in the Ukwa-west Local Government Area of Abia State, who visited him recently.

Governor Otti described Abia as an investment­friendly State, saying it is his desire to see businesses operating in the State grow.

“It is our policy to support industry. Some of the things we are doing are geared towards supporting existing industries and attracting new ones.

“I encourage you to continue to do business in Abia State, because we are investment friendly. We have just set up the Abia Industrial Innovation Park (AIIP) in Owaza.

“If you need collaborat­ion with AIIP, since you are already in Ukwa West, we will tell the Managing Director of the park to engage with you. it is only when investment­s grow that businesses can employ people”, Otti said

He charged the company on fair labour practices as a way of attracting Government’s continued support, while allaying the fears of clamping down on them following allegation­s of not providing conducive working environmen­t for their workers.

The governor encouraged the company to collaborat­e with the management of the Abia Industrial Innovation Park so as to take advantage of the opportunit­ies provided in the area.

Lin Shanbiao, managing director of Inner Galaxy, explained that Inner Galaxy is a conglomera­te of four companies that are into steel production, trailer parts assembly, battery production for automobile­s and recycling of used bottles.

He said that their visit was to intimate the governor about their activities and to see how to partner the State Government to grow their business in the State.

He however said that the company was facing labour shortages and encouraged interested Abia youths to come forward and take up jobs in the organisati­on.

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