FG and AfDB Urge Abia to Launch $263M Infrastructure Project

The Federal Government, alongside the African Development Bank (AfDB), is advocating for the swift commencement of the $263 million Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development (ABSIID) project. Governor Alex Otti has been urged to address bureaucratic bottlenecks that have delayed the project's launch, which is crucial for rehabilitating 248 kilometers of roads and managing waste in the state.

The project has already lost two years of its five-year implementation period. The funding includes $100 million from AfDB, $125 million from the Islamic Development Bank, and $15 million from the Canada Africa Development Bank, with Abia State committing a counterpart fund of ₦2 billion.

Dr. Oyebola Akand, representing the Federal Ministry of Finance, commended the timely release of the counterpart fund and emphasized the need for the Abia team to expedite processes.

Sheila Akyza from AfDB highlighted the importance of collaboration to ensure the project's implementation benefits the people of Abia State.