 |
| Otti meets Consul-General Yan in Umuahia |
Otti noted Nigeria’s high poverty. He said almost 39% of Nigerians live under the national poverty line in 2023—about 87 million people . By contrast, extreme poverty in China is nearly wiped out at the $3 a day line—just 0.0% in 2021 . He said Abia wants to cut poverty the Chinese way.
He said state leaders must act. He said, “We must do something intentional to get our people out of poverty.” He urged China to back vocational training, farming, and tech skills. He hopes Chinese partners will link Abia’s universities and polytechnics to schools in China.
Otti paused to condemn China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). He said CCECC finished one road on time but dragged on a second. The state then gave them two more jobs. Those also stalled. He said he will not award them new contracts until they wrap up existing work .
He warned: “No other jobs go to CCECC. Even the Government House design is off limits.” He said senior CCECC staff should move to Umuahia to speed up work. He added, “We don’t accept excuses.”
Consul-General Yan said China values friendship with Abia. She called the trip one of “understanding, investigation, and hope” . She pledged to expand China’s “Fight Against Hunger and Poverty” project in Abia. She said China will donate computers and connect Abia to agricultural firms in China.
She proposed a sister-city link. She said Abia would be the sixth Nigerian state with a “city” named in China. She also offered people-to-people exchanges: student and teacher swaps with Chinese schools.
China is Abia’s top source of funding for roads and rail. In 2023, Nigeria’s GDP was about USD 364 billion . China’s economy hit USD 18 trillion in 2023 . China has capacity to back big projects.
Chinese firms helped build Lagos’s rail and major highways. CCECC alone has dozens of ongoing Nigerian jobs. Slow work can erode trust. Otti’s move warns other contractors to deliver on time.
Critics say removing CCECC risks road delays. They note that switching firms mid-project can raise costs and cause gaps in work. Some experts advise Otti to use local firms alongside Chinese ones. They argue a mix can build local skills and keep deadlines.
Others praise Otti’s firmness. They say strict contract terms will force CCECC to finish fast. They point to past delays under previous governors. They see Otti’s ban as a fresh start.
Aba traders rely on good roads to move goods. Delays can hike transport costs by 20%. Farmers face spoilage when roads flood. Better roads cut travel time by up to 50% in rainy season .
Skilled workers want reliable power and roads. They often leave Abia for Lagos or abroad. Otti hopes Chinese deals on vocational schools will train more welders and electricians.
Otti said a state-level committee will vet all foreign contractors. He wants clear timelines and penalties for delays. He tasks the Ministry of Works to monitor progress weekly.
He urged Consul-General Yan to help set up a China-Abia business forum by year-end. He hopes this body will fast-track approvals and visas for Chinese investors.
Readers: How should Abia balance swift project delivery with local capacity building? Share your views below. Let’s discuss ways to drive growth, curb poverty, and deliver roads on time.