Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has presented 24 brand new Roxettes Utility Pick-Up Vans to the 24-House of Assembly members to aide their oversight functions.
Speaking while presenting the key of the vans to the Speaker of the 8th State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Governor Otti said the gesture is in fulfillment of the promise he made to the members to arm them with operational vehicles.
“I promised that I was going to make available a truck for each of you for your over-sight functions.”
The Governor while noting that the vans were locally produced, said he has a policy of patronizing indigenous manufacturers as a sure way to improve on their qualities.
He disclosed that the manufacturer being an indigene of the State from Umunneochi LGA is at the verge of completing his factory in Obuaku, Ukwa west LGA as the road leading to the factory is nearing completion.
Governor Otti said that his administration is committed to upscaling the quality of indigenous products to encourage local production and patronage, adding that efforts are on top gear to make indigenous manufacturers to be confident in their products.
“This vehicle was assembled in Abia State by Rosettes and workshop is already in place in Ohia, in Umuahia while the factory is in Ukwa. This is all geared towards supporting local manufacturing and local value added
“I have a policy of patronizing indigenous manufacturers of anything if they are available. It’s only when we don’t have things that are made here and the policy seems to be working.
“We see a lot of people improve on their products particularly in Aba. What we are doing with them now is to encourage them to be bold enough to write their names instead of writing Prada and Gucci or Fendi,” Gov. Otti stated.
He said that Government is also supporting indigenous manufacturers in terms of quality for export purposes and announced the ongoing efforts to establish an export growth lab in the State in partnership with the UNDP.
“I’m sure you have read that we are trying to establish an export growth lab and UNDP has promised to support us.
“We can upscale the quality of the products coming from here, our people are fantastic, there is nothing that they can’t produce with their hands, they only need little support, Gov. Otti stated.
Responding, the Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Augustine Meregini on behalf of his colleagues thanked Governor Alex Otti for the vehicles provided for them and said that this is the second vehicle the Governor has given to the 8th State House of Assembly.
He assured the Governor of the unity in the State House of Assembly and said that the house is more unified now.
“We want to assure you just as we assured you earlier that the house is unified now courtesy of your leadership and we are all working on the same page irrespective of party differences.
“In fact, in the 8th Assembly, we don’t have parties anymore because we have our eyes on the ball and that has happened because of your leadership.
“Because we have come to know and to realize that you want to uplift Abians, so, we are united in that cause and we want to assure you that we will continue to support you,” Meregini stated.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State .
01 – 03 – 2025.
