Gov. Alex Otti Seeks Stronger Ties with China, Criticizes CCECC Over Project Delays

Judy

Jun 12, 2025 - 08:59

Gov. Alex Otti Seeks Stronger Ties with China, Criticizes CCECC Over Project Delays

Governor Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State has expressed readiness to form strategic partnerships with the People’s Republic of China in areas such as agriculture, education, and economic development while also voicing dissatisfaction with the performance of Chinese construction firm, CCECC over delays in project execution.

The Governor made this known while receiving the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Ms. Yan Yuqing, and her delegation at the Government House, Umuahia, during a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.

Governor Otti emphasized that the hardworking and entrepreneurial nature of Abia people mirrors that of the Chinese, making the state a fertile ground for meaningful development collaborations.

“Our people are very hardworking. They don’t believe in handouts. They want to work and fend for themselves. But we must do something deliberate to lift them out of poverty,” Otti said, referencing Nigeria’s poverty rate compared to China’s.

He pointed out that China, despite its 1.42 billion population, has managed to reduce its poverty rate to just 1%, stressing the need for Abia to learn from such a model.In a direct and firm tone, Governor Otti criticized China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over its slow pace of project delivery, stating that further contracts would not be awarded to them until ongoing ones are completed.

“We gave CCECC two projects in Aba — they completed one and delayed the other. I called them myself because I had confidence in them, but they’ve failed to live up to expectations.

“That’s why I’ve refused to award them any new job, including the Government House building project they designed. We don’t take excuses. You must perform,” the Governor declared.

He also questioned why CCECC has yet to establish a proper office in Abia or deploy senior representatives to monitor the projects.

In her remarks, Consul-General Ms. Yan Yuqing said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation and introduce Chinese initiatives such as the “Fight Against Hunger and Poverty” to Abia.

Link Abia to partners in China
Support vocational education and agriculture
Donate computers to the State
Establish exchange programmes between Chinese institutions and Abia’s universities
Create “Abia City” in China, making Abia the 6th Nigerian state to have such recognition

“This trip is a journey of hope and future opportunities,” Ms. Yuqing stated. “We hope to open a window to China in your state university or polytechnic, and begin people-to-people exchanges.”

She praised Governor Otti’s leadership, stating that his vision makes the China-Abia partnership viable and promising.

As part of their humanitarian gesture, the Chinese delegation donated food items worth over ₦4 million to support vulnerable households in Abia under their ongoing poverty alleviation initiative.