There was indication that the United Kingdom (UK) was disposed towards partnering Abia state’s drive towards digitally transforming power, trade, investment including other areas with potentials to accelerate the state  economic development.

The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonny Baxter, so stated yesterday when he paid a visit to the Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti in company of his entourage  during his ongoing two-day official visit to Abia state.

Deputy High Commissioner Baxter was scheduled to, during his visit visit , hold  discussions on priority areas  namely ;  power, trade and commerce, digital transformation, transportation, education and governance, among other engagements with key stakeholders including  tour of major projects in the State.

According to Mr. Baxter, the  United Kingdom values its strong partnership with Nigeria, stating that doing so was one way  of building and sharing  interests, values and experiences.

“The United Kingdom has a really strong partnership with Nigeria. It is a partnership based on so many shared interests, experiences and values in so much depth, and is also  a partnership that, on the UK side, we value massively,” Baxter said

Noting  that the partnership has continued to expand beyond diplomatic relations to include economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology and development initiative, he said that  UK is particularly interested in supporting initiatives that enable different parts of Nigeria to realise their economic potential, and  disclosed  that two ( 2 )  United Kingdom supported programmes are currently active in Abia State.

He identified the Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) programme, which he said  is supporting efforts in Abia to mobilise private finance for an integrated waste management and recycling project in partnership with Kaltani, as one of the initiatives.

While highlighting the Digital Access Programme (DAP) and stating that it’s focus was  on helping States create the right policy, regulatory and institutional environment for digital inclusion and expansion of the digital economy, he added that DAP will support policy and regulatory development, capacity building and stakeholder engagement,  with activities in Abia aimed at ensuring that more residents can participate in the digital economy.

He said “The UK’s Digital Access Programme  previously supported digital inclusion, digital skills and policy development in Nigeria,” and  that  UK  also works  with communities in Arochukwu and Okporoenyi to establish sustainable connectivity hubs where residents can access the internet and digital services.

Speaking when he visited the Geometric Power Ltd  Plant at Aba, which he described as fascinating, Baxter identified reliable and affordable electricity as one of Nigeria’s major constraints to  its economic development.

“It is really clear that one of the key constraints in Nigeria’s economy at the moment is the unavailability of reliable power,  and the affordability of reliable  power. To see this integrated project here, working and providing solutions to that, was really fascinating,”  Baxter stated.

Positing that the availability of reliable electricity, with digital connectivity and other enabling infrastructure, could create the conditions necessary for businesses to invest and expand, the Deputy High Commissioner,  expressed delight in Abia  state efforts to retain skilled professionals and create opportunities that would encourage young people to contribute to the development of their communities rather than being compelled to leave in search of opportunities.

He assured the state Governor Dr Alex Otti that the UK would continue to explore opportunities for partnership with Abia State government, business and companies including connecting the state  businesses with potential UK partners and supply chains.

Governor Otti had while welcoming and thanking the Baxter led team to Abia state, reiterated  that his Abia State is open to partnerships with  capacity  of strengthening its economic development, and specifically noting Baxter’s visit to the Geometric Power Plant at Aba who,  the governor stated is engaged in distribution of  electric power  that he stated,  is central to the success of Abia’s manufacturing and business community.

The governor who told the Baxter Team that his  administration is working to expand reliable electricity supply across the State, lamented   that the cost of unreliable power is ultimately higher for businesses because of dependence on generators, diesel and maintenance, argued that  “Once you have reliable power, whatever the cost is, it is still going to be cheaper than not having reliable power,”

According to governor Otti, because  Aba has a strong manufacturing base, particularly in footwear, garments and other locally produced goods,  the State Government is working with partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to improve finishing, packaging and export opportunities for locally made products.

Gov. Otti further said  that his Abia State is also working to expand power supply beyond Aba, including  making efforts to secure the necessary rights to enable Abia operate as an integrated power market, leveraging the infrastructure already available at Geometric Power.

Citing migration of skilled professionals particularly healthcare Workers  as one of the  challenges confronting Nigeria, governor Otti told the visiting UK Team  that his administration has approved the recruitment of close to 1,000 healthcare professionals, with about 200 vacancies still to be filled, as well as plans to establish a medical city in Abia, informing that the discussions have commenced with a company working with UK partners on the project.

“The whole idea being to reverse medical tourism, because if we  have comparable facilities and healthcare professionals, nobody needs to go to Dubai or India to access quality medical care,” Otti  remarked, expressing  optimism that the duo’s engagement would lead to stronger government-to-government and business-to-business partnerships that will support Abia’s economic transformation.