By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) Abia State DUCT Infrastructure Project.

WIOCC, according to the State Government, is being set up to transform the digital and internet connectivity landscape of Abia.

Speaking Wednesday while performing the ceremony at the Aba South Local Government Headquarters, Otti said that the project was set up to highlight the commitment of his administration to the development of the state's technology infrastructure.

The Governor, who titled his speech "Taking Tomorrow", said that the overall objective of the project is to run an interconnected underground DUCT system to support the deployment of reliable broadband technology, superior digital services and expand the network to the advantage of all Abia residents.

He said that his administration is building an interconnected service delivery architecture that would limit the use of physical papers and files and create a new culture of digital communication, interactions and exchange among students, teachers, patients, government institutions and members of the general public.

The State Chief Executive assured that the DUCT Infrastructure development initiative would on completion, form the base for the accelerated growth of Abia's digital economy, providing the structural leverage for enterprise innovation, resource sharing and collaboration across geographical boundaries.

While describing technology as a strong backbone for prosperity, business development and expansion, Governor Otti said that technology is critical to the transformational programmes in education and health, productivity in the civil service, security and social protection.

He said that the project would have a multiplier benefits in the area of job creation, enterprise partnerships, and the multiplication of entrepreneurial opportunities, noting that the project on completion would create not less than two hundred thousand direct and indirect jobs.

"While the project will begin with the urban centres, my assurance is that no community will be left behind.

"Our target is that over the next 12 to 18 months, we shall see a dramatic rise in the number of homes, schools, offices, and institutions connected to the broadband superhighway that runs on the DUCT fiber infrastructure we are laying the foundation today.

"The successful delivery of this project, as we have seen in other places, will attract the interest of big players in the global tech ecosystem to the State." Otti stated.

Earlier in an address, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovations, Engr. David Kalu, said that the event marked the continuation of a revolution of transformation, innovation and bold leadership that would revolutionise every corner of the state.

He noted that Abia State under Governor Otti has witnessed a renaissance in governance.

In his remarks, the WIOCC Managing Director, Dr Ayotunde Coker, noting that the company has been active in building digital infrastructure across Africa for the past 18 years. He said that Governor Otti is bringing economic growth to all nooks and crannies of the State through the project.

Dr Coker expressed delight for the great opportunity given to him to be part of the project, saying that the project is all about breaking barriers and building new technology infrastructure in Abia State.

In their goodwill massages, the General overseer, Omega Power Ministry (OPM) and Royal Father, Eze Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, the representative of Nokia-Siemens, Mr. Mike Okpechimeh, described Dr. Otti as a messiah sent by God Almighty to deliver the state from ruins.

The event attracted the presence of many dignitaries including members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, the Aba business community, traditional rulers among others.

•Groundbreaking of the WIOCC Abia State DUCT Infrastructure Project