Abia state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Honeywell group to invest in cassava, cement and palm productions.
Chairman of the Honeywell group, Dr. Oba Otudeko, who led management team of the group to Government House Umuahia, said they were attracted to the state because of its rich agricultural produce, abundant human and mineral resources.
He said the company was determined to partner with Abia State Government because of the commitment demonstrated by Gov. Theodore Orji’s administration towards economic transformation of the state through the provision of the basic infrastructure.
Otudeko added that his firm which specializes in food and agro- based industries, energy, real estate and infrastructure decided to invest in Abia state because of the prevailing peace and security which had created a conducive atmosphere for investment.
He said Honeywell would invest in two main sectors; limestone exploration at Arochukwu for cements production, cassava production at Abiriba and palm production.
Responding, Gov. Orji thanked the group for their interest in Abia State and assured them of the support of his administration to ensure that the partnership benefits the state.
The governor lamented the attitude of some investors who abandoned their projects in some key sectors of the state’s economy after they had gotten Certificate of Occupancy of the project sites and other logistics from the state government.
Present at the ceremony was the former Economic Adviser to the Governor; Chief Chijoke Nwakodo, Commissioners and other government officials.