Abia State Government says it has secured the promise of AFREXIM Bank to provide the funding gap needed to enable Geometric Power Limited, promoters of the independent power plant in Osisioma area of Aba, to light up the commercial city.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu disclosed this during the investiture of Andy Obasi, as the 15th President of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) in Aba.
He also stated that the efforts of his administration to market made-in-Aba products have recorded many successes, including the branding of local manufacturers’ products with Aba-bearing labels.
According to him, our efforts at giving made-in-Aba products visibility worldwide has succeeded in securing a Ford Foundation funding, which is currently running advertisements for made-in-Aba products, on local and international media.
READ ALSO: Aba to get constant power as Geometric activates plant Q1, 2020
He explained that the total direct order, which comes into Aba on yearly basis, has grown to N1.3 billion, which he attributed to his Made-in-Aba product marketing effort.
Ikpeazu promised to support the chamber in its quest to get a Trade Fair Complex and to complete work on the Swiss International Enyimba Hotels, Aba.
He congratulated them for a seamless transition and commended the new executives into the hands of God for guidance and help, urging them to work as a team.
The governor unveiled the new ACCIMA Trade Fair Complex model and expressed the hope that it would be realized during the tenure of the present executive team.
In his speech, the new ACCIMA president, Obasi promised to partner the government to draft policies that would improve trade and industrial development in the state.
Obasi also promised that his executive board will not cease to promote made-in-Aba goods stressing that the body cannot achieve much without partnerships.
He promised that the new executives would remain responsible and responsive and deliver the best it can afford to Aba businessmen and Nigerians while asking for sincerity from all stakeholders.
The new ACCIMA President urged the governor to help provide the State with durable infrastructure with which they can work to achieve a better and economically stable state.
The former President, Olusegun Obasanjo said that he was working with Governor Ikpeazu and South East Region Economic Development Company (SEREDEC) to improve the economic status of Abia State and the South East States.
He said that seeing Ikpeazu’s impact on Abia, he has seen the need for the governor to complete two tenures in the office to finish his works.
Obasanjo represented by Eke Agbai, a former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, regretted his absence at the event, which was because of his trip to Liberia.
READ ALSO: Aba Chamber of Commerce mourns Enukeme, Adaelu
Alaba Lawson, the first woman national president of NACCIMA, while inaugurating the new executives, urged them to see their election as a call to upgrade the performance of Aba chamber. Lawson, therefore, charged the new executives to work as a team to succeed.
The executive members included Lawrence Obeta, 1st deputy president, Jerry Kalu, 2nd deputy president, Dennis Okafor, vice president, Cooperate Affairs, Eke Eleanya, vice president, IGR, Geoffery Uzoogbara, vice president, Finance.
Others are, Julius Ndukuba, vice president Administration, Jude Nwosu, vice president, Membership, Alex Adaelu, vice president, Trade and Investment, Ann Osakwe, vice president, Oil and Gas, Osita Okoro, vice president, Agric and Solid Minerals.
The rest are Jude Okafor, vice president, Works, Okey Igbonekwu, vice president, Media and Publicity, Nally Ikeotuonye, vice president, Legal, Cletus Ekpo, Treasurer and Nnamdi Amala, Financial Secretary.
GODFREY OFURUM
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