Abia Govt, UNDP sign landmark MoU

Abia State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a strategic move towards sustainable economic growth and development.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Alex Otti lauded the UNDP for its support and assured that his administration will ensure that the agreement delivers tangible benefits to the people.

Governor Otti noted that the essence of government is the welfare and security of the people and described the launch of the Aba Export Growth Lab as a critical step towards ensuring Abia products are competitive at the global stage.

In his speech, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah disclosed that the agreement focuses on SMEs development, Digitalization, Energy and Industrial expansion, describing the partnership as historic and one that speaks much about the visionary leadership of the Dr Alex Otti administration.

Ms Attafuah while revealing that the MoU was the first landmark agreement signed by the UNDP with a Nigerian State under its Integrated Smart State of Accelerated Development framework, expressed the hope that the partnership would serve as a model for other States.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Strategist and Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, described the agreement as the culmination of months of constructive engagement to fine-tune the framework for collaboration, adding that it would serve as the framework guiding their joint commitment.

Mr Mba-Uzoukwu noted that extensive discussions involving sixteen key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), covering critical sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Gender inclusion and host of others have enabled the State Government to harmonise its development priorities with the UNDP.