Abia to establish marketing/standard board to support Aba artisans

Abia State government is to set up a marketing and standard regulatory board to encourage artisans, particularly, the finished leather and garment clusters in Aba, its commercial hub.

This is also as the state has concluded plans to commence the construction of the Aba Industrial Cluster at Umukalika in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

BusinessDay gathered that the government was currently procuring equipment needed for the cluster, which aims at automating the activities of the garment and finished leather sectors in the state.

The Aba Industrial Cluster, according to Godwin Adindu, chief press secretary to the Governor of Abia State, would involve 40,000 shoemakers, who are capable of producing 1000 shoes daily.

Aba has one of the largest concentrations of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria and a bulk of this number are engaged in leather works, steel fabrication and garment making, which could be attributed to the popularity of the city.

It is estimated that Aba hosts 110,000 shoemakers and 50,000 garment makers.

The ingenuity of Aba artisans, especially, the garment and leather clusters-comprising of shoes, belt and bag makers, attracted the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in partnership with the Federal Government, to set up a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in the city, to support the clusters to further develop their skills.

Consequently, it is the desire of the present administration in the State, led by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to provide a conducive environment for artisans and other business operators and the restoration of infrastructure in the commercial city of Aba, is an integral part of the plan, says a source.

According to the Governor, regeneration of Aba, will create modern neighbourhood markets and parks, including crucial developments of business and leisure along the Aba river, and new residential and business locations.

According to him, “Our story as a people is one of entrepreneurship, resourcefulness and diligence. This is our pride. We have astounded the world with our homegrown technical skills, especially during a period of pervasive adversity, and followed it up with our trade and commercial prowess elevating one of our cities, Aba, into a prominent commercial hub within the West African region.

“This historic renown is to become our future narrative. The time is ripe to use the over 110,000 shoemakers and 50,000 garment makers as a launching pad to enable Abia to truly become the undisputed SME capital of Nigeria”.

He stated that his administration was committed to providing the enabling environment and infrastructure to facilitate the growth and development of Abia and its people; positioning it as a premier residential, business and tourism destination, with the ultimate objective of uplifting the lives of the people.

He recalled that Aba was for many years a thriving hub for manufacturing and commerce until epileptic electricity supply and insecurity forced the shutdown of most indigenous and foreign owned industries.

Ikpeazu recognised and appreciated the efforts of the Geometric Power Group, towards providing a solution to the perennial challenges of electricity supply to the State.

The Governor observed that the forthcoming operationalisation of the plant would provide a critical input towards the actualisation of its blueprint and roadmap for the regeneration of Aba and the entire Abia State.