Gov Ikpeazu Commends Buhari, N’Assembly for Supporting Made-in-Abia Products

Charles Ajunwa

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly for their unflinching support to made-in-Abia shoes and garments, saying that apart boosting the national economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has created over one million jobs for the youths whom he said were directly or indirectly involved in the production of the products.

Governor Ikpeazu, who made the commendation at the official inauguration of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company (ENASCO) in Umukalika in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state, said the Ariaria Independent Power Plant which was inaugurated by the President in 2019 had ensured that there was uninterrupted power supply to those involved in the production of shoes and garments, adding that the residents of the commercial city of Aba and environs would soon start having uninterrupted power supply from the Geometric Power Plant Aba.

The governor who revealed that the shoes and garments produced in Abia were in a high demand in America, some countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, said shoe business alone from the state generates two million dollars annually while globally, it contributes up to 250 billion dollars annually while Africa alone contributes 96 billion dollars from the global production chain.

According to him, the penetration level of the shoe business was at 2.5 per cent presently noting that it would be 23 per cent by 2025.

The governor who implored Nigerians to continue to patronise made-in-Abia products, said the automated shoe company in Obingwa had the capacity to produce 5,000 pairs of shoes daily with the present 120 man-power while the garment factory which will soon take off has capacity to employ up to 500 youths.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan who inaugurated the automated shoe company, commended Ikpeazu for his vision and resilience to set up the business despite the dwindling resources occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

Lawan said that at the budget defence which was still ongoing, he would ensure that all standing committees of the National Assembly mandate the federal government agencies and the paramilitary especially army, navy and airforce to buy their shoes and garments from made-in-Abia products which he acknowledged were of high quality.

“As we conduct our budget defence, don’t take our scarce foreign exchange outside the country”, adding “some agencies already are making requests for made-in-Abia products. We as Nigerians must ensure there is employment for our people.”

“You are a man of peace, vision and a jinx breaker,” he said, adding “What you have done here, is to say that nothing is impossible. Despite the limited resources yet you still come up with the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company. It shows how prudent and efficient you are with resources. Abia State is lucky to have you as governor,” Lawan added.

Dignitaries at the inauguration include the deputy governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senate Chairman on Privatisation, Senator Theodore Orji, Senator Yakubu Oseni, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), Commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprises and New Business Development, Mrs. Adaku Oseiza, Chairman, ENASCO, Mr. Macauley Atasie, Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, Commissioner for Documentation and Strategic Communications, Ugochukwu Emezue and many others.