NEW NARRATIVE FROM ABIA.

#AbiaOnline
By. Ikechukwu Iroha.
Unarguably, every Country gains from trade with other nations.
Countries are linked to one another, in varying degrees, by trade flows and financial networks that surround the globe.
Every country produces maximum goods on the basis of comparative advantage. Importing ideas could also help to rise in productivity.
Specialisation is the logical offshoot of exchange among nations, thus, a greater variety of products in larger quantities may be available. It therefore results to both production gain and consumption gain.
Beyond the gains, Statistics have shown that Nigeria spend a huge chunk of her annual budget on importation.
theoretically, there are many advantages of international trade than in practical terms.
Some countries, especially those which are at a lower stage of industrial development, have had a bitter experience of international trade.
It is easier to import already made cloths but such move would’ve destroyed handicrafts and discourage to a large extent local production of leather and garments in the Country.
From a research, Countries that sell primary commodities and buy manufactured goods in return are losers. The standard of living of the people in such countries remains low. And the pity is that this state of affairs tends to persist. Foreign trade under such conditions leads more to discontent and unrest than to peace and goodwill.
Economic disturbances in one country are transmitted to others through foreign exchange.
Going by my first assertion on comparative advantage, one will be pushed to look into the level of commitment we have, to push for those things we pride ourselves on the basis of strength, expertise and skills.
As someone with the knowledge of the entrepreneurial ingenuity inherent in Abians, through the projection of Made-in-Aba cum Nigeria, to every part of the world, Dr Ikpeazu stands to combat some of the disadvantages attached to over dependence on importation, by encouraging local industries.
Let me bring it down to the State level. In the area of leather and Garment making, Abia has a comparative advantage over any State in the Country. The need to harness these resources became a big task. Thanks, no thanks to dependence on crude, that hitherto led to laziness, neglect of agriculture and cottage industries.
The Slogan “Abia beyond oil” was enough to understand where the pendulum of the present administration was swinging to.
Abia is in the world map.The world is trooping in their numbers to have a glimpse of the magic touch of what Aba can produce. It is something the Country can take advantage of. For instance, if 70% of Abia Local election materials could be locally sourced, it presents a clean bill that the country can save cost by taking a stand to jettison importation of those election materials.
Support for Local production goes beyond patronage. It extends to publicity, financial assistance etc. On that’s basis, through Dr Ikpeazu’s consistent and vigorous campaign for made in Aba, attention of the world has been brought to our local industries. Business owners have enjoyed high level of patronage and financial support from Federal and State and other donor agencies through the efforts of the Marketer in Chief of Aba made.
By patronizing made in Nigeria products, the confidence of the makers would’ve been boosted.
The new narrative has brought back the consciousness of giving back to the Society. Already, Abians in Diaspora have sponsored several projects aimed at identifying with Dr Ikpeazu’s vision to repositioning Abia local industries. One of such is the “Free Sandals to schools initiative” wherein they buy made in Aba shoes and distribute to rural communities through a senior special aide of the Governor on Job Creation and Youth Development.
The initiative has increased the level of awareness of our local products as well, contributed to the development of our markets through several purchase orders received from abroad.
Attention given to the manufacturing center of the country has drastically reduced unemployment, Crime, dependency ratio and has recently increased State’s revenue.
Abia Education Sector is not left out in the support for Small enterprise and skill acquisition. Emphasis is on technical and Vocational Studies. Through the Education for Employment programme, Students will no longer queue for interviews in blue chip industries as provisions have been made to equip themselves with skills and experience that is required for self employment even while pursuing higher studies.
Beyond patronage and support, protection of small industries is a major link to growth of Small Scale enterprises in the State. Government has put in place measures to avoid multiple and over taxation. It could be seen in the willingness to support the Government of Dr. Ikpeazu.
No one will speak ill of someone who has given a great push to the project by arranging and sponsoring several trade fairs for Small business owners within and outside the State.
The new narrative in the Agric Sector has received commendations from different quarters. Palm plantation, back to farming initiative, new Casava variety, Fish farming and other livestock farming etc have contributed to the growth of our economy.
Over 2 million Tenera oil palm variety at Ahiaba Umunze in Osisioma Ngwa LGA has given life to the State’s readiness to become a major oil exporter in the Country.
The target is to have 7.5 million of such palm seedlings before 2019.
Enablers to drive this new narrative like road construction, has been sustained. The State government has Over 36 completed roads and is active on about 30 uncompleted roads at different stages of completion in less than two years, to ease movement of goods and ease of doing business in the State.
The New Narrative from Abia is ‘support for Locally made goods’