Nigeria’s quest to become one of the 20 most industrialised nations of the world in 2020 is achievable, if adequate attention is paid to micro, small and medium enterprises, especially those in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State.
Maxwell Onyezeonwu, manager, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), who made this observation in an interview with BusinessDay in Aba, observed that Aba had the capacity to drive Nigeria’s industrialisation, if adequate infrastructure was provided in the city.
He also said the artisans need information on how to source funds, which is another major issue stifling industrial activities in the area, and advised government at all levels to invest more in electricity infrastructure, roads and water to support industrial activities in the country.
He lauded Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s recent efforts at rehabilitating roads and other infrastructure in the commercial city, and urged other spirited individuals and organisations in the state to support government to achieve its aim of restoring Aba to its former glory, as the commercial hub of the South-East/South-South regions.
Meanwhile, bank CEOs, foreign government representatives, captains of industry, development partners and an array of stakeholders will gather in Aba today to brainstorm on the way forward for the commercial city.
The meeting tagged Urban Development Summit, a partnership between Ford Foundation and the Abia State government is in line with the state government’s effort to realise the full potentials of Aba and reposition it as the industrial hub of West Africa.
According to Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, the summit is in line with one of the key cardinal development agenda of our administration, which is to drive sustainable and all-inclusive development in Abia State.
“Aba, as the commercial hub of Abia State, when sustainably developed, will trigger development activities in other parts of the State,” he said.
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