In a significant move aimed at redefining the industrial landscape of Abia State, the government has announced plans to kick off construction of a 10,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery by the second quarter of 2025.
The announcement, made by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, came after the weekly executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to Kanu, the green light from the federal government for HSI to build and operate the facility has cleared the path for one of the Otti administration’s flagship ventures.
The refinery will be sited within the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park (AIIP) in Owaza, Ukwa West—a location already buzzing with preliminary activity.
Earthworks and site clearing have begun, and state officials confirm that compensation to all affected landowners has been fully paid.
“This is not just another project,” Kanu emphasized. “It’s a statement about the future we envision for Abia—a future of energy independence, job creation, and industrial growth.”
READ ALSO: Otti Leads LP Delegation to INEC, Submits Supreme Court Judgment
The refinery is part of a larger strategy to transform the state into an industrial hub.
With eyes set on both the oil and solid minerals sectors, the government has also launched a survey to assess the commercial viability of mineral deposits across Abia.
The findings are expected to guide future investments and partnerships in resource extraction.
As bulldozers move in and plans unfold, there’s a growing sense that Abia may soon become a key player in Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors.