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#IkpeazuHonouredVanguardGovernor2017
Abia, God’s Own State prides herself as the SME capital of Nigeria. Yes, this is predicated on the high concentration of small and medium enterprises in the State, most especially in Aba, the commercial melting point of the State, nay the south Eastern region. It is also a vibrant sector of the State as the business holdings create sizeable employment, creates wealth for the people and also in the State Government’s tax net.
How has commerce and industry fared in the three years of Governor Ikpeazu’s superintendency?
Governor Ikpeazu has recognised commerce and industry as one of the inherent capabilities of the average Abian, Aba nicknamed the “Japan of Africa’ originated from the ingenious abilities of the Aba person. It is not surprising that during one of the Vice president’s (Prof. Yemi Osinbajo) visit to Abia, he submitted that “with Aba, Nigerians has no business going to China” thus, Nigerians from all walks of life has identified with Aba as cardinal to Nigeria’s industrialization march.
Thankfully, Commerce, industry and development of our local content was captured in Governor Ikpeazu’s five pillars, hence it was natural that Governor Ikpeazu started implementation immediately he was sworn in, giving importance and restoring the fading glory of the ‘Made In Aba’ brand. Today Governor Ikpeazu is recognized as the highest promoter of ‘Made in Aba’ and of course, Made in Nigeria products.
It is on record, that Aba shoe
makers made bulk sales worth over 2billion of military booths, shoes for IDP camps at the instance of Governor Ikpeazu’s vigorous marketing and promotions. This has greatly improved their capital base and in extension the standard of living of these producers. It has also improved the tax collections of the State; little wonder Governor since his assumption of office has grown the State’s IGR, from a little Six hundred million to averagely one billion Maura presently on monthly basis. Greater sales will inadvertently increase the job creation capacity of this businesses with improved financial fortunes, more hand will be sought.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has also identified high quality as a prerequisite for growing business hence, to ensure adherence to global quality standards as well as ensure automation of production, shoemakers in Aba were jetted to China to learn the newest technology and the automation of their production system. The state government has gone further to import modern shoe making equipments to our shores. This will improve on the speed and quality and ensure superb finishing of Aba made shoes. Incontrovertibly, what this administration is putting in place will ensure that there will certainty be no distinction between Italian and Aba made shoes.
Moreover, the Aba made campaign has imbued confidence and ensured self recognition of our indigenous manufacturers. Gone are the days when Aba made shoes or clothes has London or Italy tag rather it is boldly labelled, ‘Aba made’ a handiwork of Governor Ikpeazu’s efforts.
Even outside the shores of this great State the government of the day has assiduously promoted our products through fashion fairs that was held in Abuja and faraway New York USA. This has increased astronomically the demands for our shoes, wears and sundry products, portraying the State in a good light too.
Governor Ikpeazu’s administration has also done wonders in the area of reviving our moribund industries. For Instance, the glass industry that was rotting away before now has been resuscitated, while Golden Guinea brewery is gradually being revived. The multiplier effect is, when all this industries fully come on stream, it will create massive employment, take our youths out of the streets and advatently improve the economy of God’s Own State.
Steady power supply is indispensable in running industries. Is in realisation of that fact that made the State Government to work collaboratively with the Federal Government to provide stable power to Ariaria International market, Aba and environs considering the high concentration of SMEs in that vicinity. In no distant time Geometrics will come on stream with uninterrupted power supply for the Aba metropolis as the State government has strongly engage them.
This milestone when fully alive, will lower the cost of doing business in Aba, tremendously improve the economy, as there a sure link between enabling environment and attraction of investors, companies will flood to Aba, thus taking Abia to halcyon shores.
For Governor Ikpeazu, it’s not yet Uhuru. This Government has commenced the signature Enyimba industrial City project, sitting on 9300 hectares of land that spans across three local governments of Ukwa East and West and Ugwunagbor. This is going to be a famous industrialization footprint of this administration, with its proximity to port Harcourt seaport; a black buster on the economic narrative of Abia, as it will also create massive direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Furthermore, the Umukalika leather and garment cluster is under construction with expectation to create enough room for expansions, research for those in the same line of trade.
Adequate security is crucial in engendering investments, this accounts why the Government synergize with security agencies to ensure security for investors and their investments in Abia. It could be recalled that in no distant time past, Abia State Government donated 35 vehicles to the security outfit in Abia, this has paid off, as Abia is adjudged the third most peaceful and most crime free State in the federation.
To further improve on our gains in securing the lives and properties of Abians, a new security fund and a novel security card has been launched in the State, and auspiciously, the security fund will bridge the gap in funding for security, while the security card is running in the State is for proper data and identification of residents of the State.
Governor Ikpeazu is certainly a bank of ideas.
Abia is an emerging global industrial hub, and Governor Ikpeazu has set the ball rolling.
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