Otti seeks economic partnership with US gov

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, and Governor of Delaware, United States, Bethany Hall-Long…Photo Credit: Abia State House

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed readiness to partner with the Governor of Delaware, United States, Bethany Hall-Long, in key areas of the economy to drive growth and development.

This was disclosed in a statement released on Saturday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku.

The statement noted that Otti made this known on Friday while receiving a delegation from the Office of the Delaware Governor at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

The governor said Abians, like other Igbo people, do not rely on handouts but require strong social infrastructure and an enabling environment to thrive, noting that collaboration with a state such as Delaware would deliver positive outcomes.

He explained that his administration’s decision to clear arrears of pensions and salaries was aimed at stimulating the local economy.

“So, when we came in and we said we want to pay several years of accumulated pension arrears, the whole idea was to put money in the hands of people.

“So, I’m pleased to have you here and it’s also an invitation for partnership, like you said.

“We would be very happy to work with your team so that we can collaborate. I have fantastic people in my team,” Otti said.

The governor said his administration had invested heavily in education and healthcare, introducing free and compulsory basic education, recruiting thousands of teachers with improved compensation packages, upgrading health facilities, and employing more than 700 medical personnel.

Speaking earlier, Delaware Governor Bethany Hall-Long said she was in Abia to explore areas of collaboration with the state government.

Hall-Long, the 75th Governor of Delaware and a former legislator and Professor of Nursing at the University of Delaware, said her experience in public service would be deployed to ensure a productive partnership.

“In my 25 years’ experience in the State legislature, lieutenant governor, which is like a deputy governor, and short-term governor of Delaware, I hope that we can leverage on it and build bridges.

“I am so honoured to be with a gentleman who can balance humanity, addressing poverty, security and homelessness while providing jobs, workforce, and use of manufacturing.

“We have a lot we can do together, a lot of connections. There are ideas and opportunities for collaboration with medical supplies. There are a whole lot of things that can be accomplished with the proposed partnership,” she said.

Hall-Long commended Otti’s leadership, saying, “It’s really important that you have the leadership, Sir, that you in two years have accomplished all this.

“And I know you’ve done it with an incredible team, and you do it with courageous leadership.”

Earlier, Senator Uche Ekwunife of Anambra State, who introduced the Delaware Governor, said the visit was aimed at partnering with Abia in various sectors of the economy.

“She is here to collaborate with the State Government, to bring some grants that will help the people, help the education sector, help the health sector, and help other areas,” Ekwunife said.

She praised Otti’s performance, particularly in security and infrastructure, describing Abia as an industrial hub whose economic stability impacts Nigeria and Africa.

Present at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Kenneth Kalu; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa, and other top government officials.

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