Abia State has reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding and other relevant documents with two firms for the establishment of a modular refinery in the state.
The refinery is expected to be sited in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State which has the highest oil deposit in the state.
The Information Commissioner, in a press release stated that the agreement was signed in Umuahia, the state capital, adding that Secretary to Abia State Government Dr. Eme Okoro, signed on behalf of the State Government while the Managing Director of GoldTrust Limited, Mr. Freeman George Amadin and the Managing Director of White page Concept, Engr. Mohammed Yakubu, signed on behalf of their respective companies.
According to Okiyi, the SSG informed the investors that the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu would always provide the enabling environment that would aid investors to excel as the state remains the best in ease of doing business in the region.
Dr. Okoro called on other investors to come and invest in the State, as Abia remains one of the safest States in Nigeria with top quality infrastructure deployed by the Ikpeazu administration.
He assured the indigenes of oil producing communities in the state that they would benefit maximally from the oil refinery deal.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of AG GoldTrust Limited, Mr. Freeman George Amadin, reiterated his belief that investing in Abia will bring huge dividends, as the State has both commercial and social essence that would ignite every business to thrive and succeed.
He revealed that establishing the modular refinery would help ignite industrial revolution in the State and expressed hope that the refinery when commissioned would create job opportunities for Abia youths and accelerate economic development of the State.
In his speech, the Managing Director of Whitepage Concept, Engr. Mohammed Yakubu, promised that they would create the necessary platform that would aid Abians to own and develop oil resources in the State
Some government functionaries including, Commissioner for Petroleum, Barr. Chizuru Kanu, the Deputy Chief of Staff, office of the State Governor, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai (Dr.), ASOPADEC Chairman, Chief Sam Nwogu among others witnessed the signing ceremony.
