Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the WIOCC’s landmark Fibre Duct Infrastructure Project, which the state is undertaking with the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) on a private/public partnership arrangement.
The governor, while performing the ceremony held yesterday at the Aba Town Hall, Aba South Local Government Area, said that the event marked the commencement of a transformative infrastructure project designed to expand broadband access, enhance digital inclusion, and improve last-mile connectivity across Abia State.
“The flag-off of the Duct Infrastructure Development Project has been set up to highlight our commitment to the development of the state’s technology infrastructure outline, with the overarching objective being to run an interconnected underground duct system to support the deployment of reliable broadband technology, superior digital services, and expand the network of advantages for investors and new residents.”
According to the governor, who commended WIOCC for partnering with the state to drive its digital transformation agenda, the completion of this Duct Infrastructure Development Initiative will form the base for the accelerated growth of the state’s digital economy and provide the structural leverage for enterprise innovation, resource sharing, and collaboration across geographical boundaries.
Predicting that the project would play a critical role in attracting businesses, stimulating job creation, and improving the ease of doing business in the state, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to putting in place the enabling environment for innovation and investment in the state.
The Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres (a WIOCC subsidiary), Dr Ayotunde Coker, who was the event’s Chief Host, said that the project is significant in bridging the digital divide and advancing national broadband goals.
He said, “The groundbreaking event symbolises the beginning of a long-term investment in Abia State’s digital future, one that will improve access to data services, support smart city development, and contribute to a more inclusive digital economy.
“Our partnership with the Abia State Government represents a shared vision to accelerate digital access and inclusion. The infrastructure will enable faster, more reliable connectivity that empowers communities, fuels entrepreneurship, and strengthens the state’s economic growth.”
He added that the project also aligns with WIOCC’s mission to build open-access, carrier-neutral digital infrastructure that supports the delivery of next-generation connectivity and cloud services, including reinforcing the company’s ongoing efforts to enable a digitally connected Africa by collaborating with governments and industry stakeholders.
Just last week, the Abia State Government officially commenced the reconstruction of the 25-kilometre Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, which Otti called a long-overdue intervention critical to the economic and social vitality of our region.
“Although this is a federal highway, we proactively secured the necessary approvals to take it on, driven by our belief that infrastructure serving our people should never be hindered by jurisdictional boundaries,” the governor said.
