12/06/2025
Governor Otti Seeks Partnership With China, Expresses Disaffection With CCECC Over Projects Delay
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has sought useful partnership with the People's Republic of China to improve the economy of the State.
Governor Otti was speaking on Wednesday, 11th June when he received a delegation of the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China to Nigeria, Ms. Yan Yuqing, who paid him a working visit.
The Governor, who said that he is willing to partner the People's Republic of China, noted that Abia people share similar traits with Chinese; traits such as resilience and hard work.
"The can-do spirit, the entrepreneurial spirit, the never say die spirit. That's what you get in Abia people. That's why the way to approach development here will be different from the way you approach it elsewhere.
"Our people are very hard working. They do not really believe in handouts. They believe they can fend for themselves.
"But then, you cannot also rule out the vagaries of the economy and all the challenges that come with it. That's why today, we (Nigerians) are still as a country dealing with somewhere around 50% of our people living in poverty. That's a large number, when you compare that with China, 1.42 Billion people economy and the poverty rate is just 1%.
"So, we must do something intentional to ensure that we get our people out of poverty," Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti used the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction over the delays in delivering road projects by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and said he is no longer willing to give them jobs when they are delaying in delivering the jobs already given to them.
"Now, specifically to CCECC, yes we did give you the first two jobs in Aba. You completed one on time and the other one took so long. And then we gave you another two more.
"So, the reason I've decided not to give you jobs anymore is for you to complete the ones you are already on.