The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a firm stand against what it describes as a deceptive and ill-managed initiative by the state government, the Abia Integrated Industrial Park (AIIP) located in Owaza, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the party expressed deep concern over the current state of the much-publicized project, following the release of a recent video that laid bare the stark contrast between the initial promises and the present reality on the ground.
Describing the project as a “phantom venture,” the APC said the visuals revealed a site completely disconnected from the grand narrative that accompanied its launch on September 30, 2023 — an event that portrayed the industrial park as the future site of a seaport, modular refinery, and commercial hub.
“The truth is hard to ignore,” the APC stated. “What was sold to the public as a transformative economic milestone has proven to be a well-packaged illusion. There’s no credible sign of progress on that site, and we believe the Federal Government may have been misled by false media portrayals sponsored by the Abia State Government.”
The party didn’t stop there. It accused the state administration of prioritizing public relations over substance, pointing to what it called “a familiar pattern” of organizing elaborate groundbreaking ceremonies for projects that never move beyond the photo ops. The APC also raised concerns over what it sees as a political tactic—using the initial praise from prominent APC stakeholders invited to such events as a shield against later criticism.
“What’s even more troubling is how this government turns these orchestrated commendations into weapons against us anytime we ask legitimate questions about project transparency, inflated budgets, or outright abandonment,” the statement read.
The Abia APC called on the state government to be honest with the people, urging it to abandon the path of performance politics and embrace responsible, results-driven governance.
“At this point, Abians are not looking for drama or staged events—they want honest leadership that can deliver,” the party concluded.
