Otti makes move to erect $1.3bn medical city to reduce foreign dependence
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti
Otti makes move to erect $1.3bn medical city to reduce foreign dependence
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has unveiled an ambitious plan to build a $1.3bn medical city in the state—a project aimed at curbing the country’s growing dependence on foreign medical tourism and reducing transport costs for healthcare.
The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday during the April edition of ‘Meet the People’, a monthly engagement forum.
He said the medical city would be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu during his visit to the state before May 29, 2025.
“The Abia Medical City will save billions of dollars in medical tourism and transport costs. It’s a game-changer for healthcare, not just in Abia but across Nigeria,” Otti said.
He added that during President Bola Tinubu’s visit, the newly constructed Port Harcourt Road in Aba will also be inaugurated.
In addition to health infrastructure, Otti said his administration was intensifying reforms across sectors, including education, debt management, and security.
He disclosed that 7,000 Abia children are currently benefiting from the state’s free education programme, supported by the recent employment of 9,000 teachers. According to the governor, these teachers are undergoing phased training to improve teaching quality.
“We are paying attention to mathematics, engineering, and science to prepare students for a technology-driven future,” he noted.
On healthcare workforce development, Otti announced the planned recruitment of 777 new health workers to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.
Addressing the state’s finances, the governor revealed that his administration inherited a debt of N138bn, but has so far repaid N72bn, leaving an outstanding balance of N66bn, in addition to unsettled contractor debts, salary arrears, and pensions.
“Despite these burdens, we have continued to manage our resources prudently and remain focused on service delivery,” Otti said.
In the area of security, the governor assured residents of continued vigilance, commending security agencies and warning against any form of lawlessness.
“Some people who tested our will didn’t find it easy. We won’t tolerate insecurity,” he stated.
On the anti-grazing law already in effect in the state, Otti said his government would review it but emphasised that Abia had “gone beyond cows destroying our farms.”
