Governor Alex Otti’s government says an innovation park and a modular refinery will be established in Abia to accelerate economic development.

Information commissioner Okey Kanu stated that plans were underway to build the park and refinery. Mr Kanu disclosed this during a news conference on the outcome of the State Executive Council at the Government House, Umuahia.

He said the decision to embark on the project was informed by the resolve of Mr Otti to fulfil his campaign promises to the people of Abia. The commissioner added that the initiative would provide an avenue for the Abia government to address the issue of youth unemployment.

“A lot of investors are showing strong interest to partner government to establish the innovation park. The park will house an incubation centre. Those involved in manufacturing, logistics, power, modular refinery will form part of this park,” the commissioner explained.

On payment of pensions, he said that the government was committed to resolving all hitches. Mr Kanu added that the Abia government was making efforts to ensure payment of 100 per cent pension to pensioners. He, however, apologised to pensioners over the shortfall in the June payment and attributed the shortfall to the historical method adopted by the past administration.

Mr Kanu said the method was being reviewed to ensure that pensioners would be paid 100 per cent of their pension and, subsequently, their outstanding before the end of the year.

The commissioner for petroleum and mineral resources, Joel Ogbonna, said efforts were ongoing to rehabilitate the road leading to the Osisioma depot to make the facility functional and accessible to oil marketers.

Mr Ogbonna said that the Abia government was making efforts to effect repairs on the vandalised Port Harcourt-Osisioma pipeline damaged by suspected vandals. He added that plans were underway to set up a modular refinery in Ukwa West through public-private partnership as part of the government’s efforts to address the high cost of petroleum products.