By Foster Obi
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared that the state is determined to take its place among global leaders in the technology-driven economy, as he flagged off the Abia State Duct Infrastructure Development Project in Aba on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event held at Aba Town Hall, Otti said the initiative marks a major step in building the backbone for Abia’s digital transformation — an interconnected underground duct system designed to power reliable broadband access, enhance enterprise innovation, and expand digital opportunities for businesses and residents across the state.
“We no longer want to play at the lower rungs of the global technology ecosystem,” the governor said. We want to function at the apex and compete with the best minds anywhere in the world. The Abia of today is determined to push its people into the league of global entrepreneurs mining the boundless power of human intellect to drive prosperity.”
Otti noted that the duct infrastructure would form the base for Abia’s smart city and digital economy vision, describing it as a bold attempt to transform every development frontline in the state.”
The project, to be executed in partnership with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), will provide an underground network supporting high-speed internet connectivity, digital services, and technology-driven governance systems across sectors.
“Technology has no sectoral limitations,” Otti said. “The farmer in the village, the shoemaker in Aba, the fashion designer exporting to Europe — all can benefit equally. This infrastructure will support everything from education and health to business, security, and public service.”
The governor emphasized that Abia’s development strategy under his leadership is built on diversification, innovation, and knowledge-based growth. He said the state’s recent strides — from improved fiscal stability and urban sanitation to enhanced security and record capital investments — demonstrate that his administration’s model is delivering measurable progress.
Otti also revealed that the duct project would pave the way for the expansion of broadband access to homes, schools, and offices across the 17 local government areas within the next 18 months, assuring that “no community will be left behind.”
“This project will attract global tech players to Abia,” he noted. “It will lead to new jobs, enterprise partnerships, and a multiplication of entrepreneurial opportunities.”
The governor expressed confidence in WIOCC’s capacity to deliver, citing the company’s track record in managing over 75,000 kilometers of terrestrial and submarine fiber networks across multiple countries and supporting global telecommunications giants.
He commended the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. David Kalu; Chief Information Officer, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe; and the project’s technical team for their *“diligence and commitment”, urging them to maintain focus until full completion.
“Tomorrow belongs to those who make the most of the opportunities that today provides,” Otti declared. “With faith in ourselves and the wind in our sails, we shall take tomorrow.”
The Abia State Duct Infrastructure Development Project, according to the governor, aligns with the administration’s broader ambition to position the state as Nigeria’s digital hub, anchored on innovation, efficiency, and a modern service delivery framework.
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