By Ikechukwu Iroha.
The moment Dr Ikpeazu was asked why he is passionately and vigorously campaigning for made in Aba goods, his answer did not create any form of ambiguity as to what he intends to achieve with the brand.
“What can Abia do better than other States? Answer to that question brought the need to pursue Made in Aba because we believe we have comparative advantage in Leather and Garment making as well as fabrications”
The campaign for made in Aba speaks directly to the people’s energy,commitment and hard work. The Governor can talk about what Abia people do with their hands everywhere, that is the confidence that promotes passion . It is therefore important to attribute some of the success of the campaign to strong patronage enjoyed by artisans from the State Government.
The efforts of the State Government in the drive for such creative agenda cannot be overemphasized. It has increased the level of awareness to what can be achieved in the State’s economy, develop large markets and create employment.
The State is constructing and reconstructing roads that have direct links or centers around manufacturing clusters.
Faulks road that leads to Ariaria international market and Port Harcourt road ,which is regarded as fabrication centre in Abia State are parts of the efforts of the Government to jump start the local economy by opening roads to market millions of Leather and Garment products exported to different States and other west African countries.
Nigeria can no longer ignore what is happening in Abia State. The efforts so far Stated are major reasons the Internally Generated Revenue of the State has been reviewed upwards from what it was before the campaign for patronage of locally made goods began. The resultant effect is that, Abia has the capacity to drive Gross Domestic Products ,which can guarantee high level of liquidity in the Country’s cash flow.
The trend and support for locally made goods are gaining momentum. As part of exercise of his function as the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osibajo signed three executive bills recently. One of the bills supports sourcing for local contents in public procurement of goods.
What the bill implies is that every government agency must source for goods locally in public procurement and only when the specification cannot be produced within the country that such material could be imported.
I can boldly say this the business approach to governance was piloted by our own Governor Dr. Ikpeazu whose efforts could not be ignored by the Acting President.
A Chinese shoe industry has indicated interest to train 100 Abia shoe makers in their facility in China. This also is one of the benefits of patronage and good publicity. Someone must tell our Story.
The State is also open for partnership with private sector to drive the gains moving forward. Ford foundation,a donor agency has indicated interest to fund a campaign in major international media on the ingenuity of an Aba artisan. Today, Shoemakers can comfortable identify themselves at State events as shoemakers.
Through the effort of the Governor, many government agencies have started patronizing locally made goods. The military raised the bar while ICPC followed with several purchase orders for Aba artisans.
There is a renewed vigor in the State. The exposure of these artisans to International standards has directly impacted on the quality and quantity of products coming out from Abia.
Abia can no longer be ignored.
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