Abia solicits FG cooperation for supply of made-in-Aba boots

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has appealed to the Federal Government for the state to be supplying it made-in-Aba boots and belts for the Army, Navy, Air Force and other paramilitary outfits in Nigeria.

Ikpeazu, who solicited the Federal Government cooperation in this direction when the Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of industry, trade and investment, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Umuahia, noted the Aba Shoe and Leather Industrial clusters were able to supply any number of quality military boots and belts if the Federal Government obliged the request.

“We have established quality control agency to ensure that made-in-Aba products meet international standard. We are now looking for funding and private investment participation. We urge you the minister to ensure that Federal Government starts orders for Aba shoes and belts,” Ikpeazu said.

The Abia governor disclosed to the minister that in order to ensure that made-in-Aba products meet international standard, he took some garment and shoemakers to Turkey, who underwent refresher course.

He further informed the minister that Abia did not see the economic downturn as a big challenge, but helping the state to look inwards for other areas to harness and boost the economy.

Ikpeazu, who noted that it was road infrastructure that drove the economy, said it was on this premise that his administration was investing massively on the commercial nerve centre of South-East.

Enelamah, in his remarks, expressed joy over what Ikpeazu was doing in Abia, noting that there were many areas states and Federal Government could collaborate.

He pointed out that before such collaboration could be effective there should be enabling environment for businesses to thrive, adding that Abia had such prerequisites for partnership.

“Areas you have comparative advantage are collaborative. I see mad- in-Aba shoes to have excellent quality. A lot of the policies you mentioned are consistent with my policies in the Federal level. If we collaborate, we will help our people,” Enelamah said.

Highlight of the visit was the display of some Aba made shoes for the minister to see.