Commissioner for Industry and Technology, Abia State, Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has restated the determination of the state Governor, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu to scale up the industrial revolution of the state as well as enhance the quality of life of every Abian through technology.
Ikoh, an astute industrialist, who spoke with a select group of journalists, said the state governor, Ikpeazu was committed to creating enabling environment for the survival of cottage industries in the state and marketing of the goods made in Abia, especially at this time the Federal Government is encouraging states to look inwards with the dwindling oil revenues.
According to Ikoh, “We are also going to see how to invest in improving the quality of made-in Aba goods so that they will be able to favourably compete with goods from other industrialised economies.
“As you may have heard, the administration of governor Ikpeazu has taken seriously the issue of infrastructural renewal of major cities in the state. Of course, you cannot talk about industrialisation in a place where there is a dearth of infrastructure. We are looking to ensure that Aba, which for now is our industrial hub, is transformed into a city with all the basic modern amenities; we want to restore order and sanity in building of shops, kiosks, offices and residential buildings; drive the new programmes towards the park reform and general rehabilitation work.”
The Hon. Commissioner also said that having lived in some parts of the country, particularly Lagos State, where he was privileged to witness the industrial progression of a state nicknamed ‘Centre of Excellence’, he was determined to see Abia rival Lagos in attracting industries.
“It must interest you to know that Administration of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu is working hard for Abia State to commence the supply of Nigerian military all her shoe and belt needs in 2016 and 2017; this is simply because we have comparative advantage in leather and garment cluster in Aba,” he added.
“Towards the end of last year, the governor, with some officials of the state government and some shoe and garment makers travelled to Turkey to see how to adopt their technology. The plan is that the Abia State government has developed a module where the machines will be acquired for the shoe makers and they pay back later,” he said.
On the plan to standardise the goods produced in Aba, Ikoh said: “A quality control centre has been established to ensure that made-in-Aba shoes get the minimum standard. All we need is the buy-in of the Federal Government to give tacit support. The support we are soliciting for is in the form of pronouncement and directive for the military to procure its foot wears from Aba since there is ready market for the products.”
The commissioner, speaking glowingly about the place of Abia in industrial space in Nigeria and the efforts so far made by governor Okezie Ikpeazu to encourage industrialization in the state, said: “Our state, it must be emphasized, has one of the most enterprising populations in the country and a homegrown small to medium industrial base. It will interest you to know that, before now, the state had one of the smallest internally generated revenue profiles. To encourage cottage industries and ensure that small and medium enterprises thrive in Abia, Governor Ikpeazu has so far abolished multiple taxation that was a huge headache in the past.
“Government has since put in place what is called ‘Government Public Finance Restructuring’. It is aimed at harmonising taxes and levies. This step has helped to block avenues through which government finances were siphoned.
“In our effort to emphasise the need for every true Abian to imbibe the spirit of ‘Abianness’ which is aimed at restoring the economic glory of Aba, we have since launched the ‘Made-in-Aba Campaign’ spear-headed by Governor Ikpeazu himself. Starting from the governor, officials of the state government now wear made-in-Aba outfits. In fact, the governor embarked on an aggressive promotion of Aba products, and has also set up Marketing and Standard Regulatory Board to ensure that Aba entrepreneur is encouraged. We are happy to announce that Abia would rank among the top half dozen states in terms of potential self- sufficiency.”
Continuing, he said: “The present government in Abia is determined to take the state to the next level of development. Make no mistake about it; Abia has all the ingredients to be one of the top five states in the country in terms of revenue self-sufficiency. In the past, Aba, for instance used to be, simultaneously, an industry and a market. We are going to return the city to the glory it was known for when every other building had a small factory at the back and a shop showroom in front. We are going to return the glory of the great Ariaria market, which had the distinction of being both a string of manufacturing industries and shops selling garments, leather goods, electric motors, etc.”
Zebulon Agomuo
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