Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, says his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for businessmen to invest in the state.

Governor Orji gave the assurance when he received the Chairman and members of Board of Directors of Hy-Lok Nigeria Ltd at the Government House, Umuahia.

The Governor stated that since it is no longer fashionable for government to be in business, his responsibility will be to protect businesses that are in the state, adding that the private sector has a responsibility to complement the effort of the state government in development.

He commended the company for establishing in the state and pointed out that its presence will bring greater development to the state as well as create employment opportunities for Abians.

Chief Orji assured the company that Abia is peaceful while Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia remains a veritable place for it to market its products.

According to the governor, Abia as an NDDC state will benefit from the company which is into oil servicing and promised to be present during the commissioning of the company.

Earlier, the chairman, Board of Directors of Hy-Lok Nigeria Ltd., Alhaji Garba Imam thanked the Governor for the opportunity given to the company to set up the state of the art factory at Obuaku City in Ukwa West LGA by granting them land for the project in addition to other support required to realize the project.

He disclosed that they have completed the first phase of the facility which is to be developed fully in four phases, disclosing that the first phase which includes a 720m2 warehouse/shop floor area, valve and fittings assembly line, equipment testing facility, training centre is currently being test run and has been audited by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

Alhaji Imam said the second and third phases of the project would be commenced in line with schedule and in the process contribute towards the enhancement of the Obuaku industrial layout as planned by the state government and informed the governor of the planned commissioning of the facility during the first or second quarter of this year.