Abia State Government has announced plans to flag off its Pocket Layout Industrial Estate project, saying the initiative is designed to provide functional and affordable housing for residents.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Otti.
Prince Kanu said the procurement process for the project has reached an advanced stage, with bids from prospective contractors already opened and the list of successful bidders expected within one week.
“Let me also inform us that the Pocket-Layout Industrial Estate project is due for a flag off.
“With the opening of bids from prospective contractors to the project, a comprehensive list of successful contractors will be published within the next one week or less
“This project is in line with Governor Alex Otti’s vision to provide functional and affordable housing for Abians across the state”, he said.
According to the Commissioner, the project comprises two components; the Old Civil Service Commission area and the former Abia Hotels area, adding that work was also progressing at the former Abia Hotels site.
“The Old Civil Service area has been successfully cleared and parcelled, and the plots are ready to be allocated to prospective contractors. Thereafter, execution works will commence before the formal flag-off ceremony.
“The Abia Hotels area, on the other hand, will be ready within a fortnight for parcelation and allotments to contractors. Thereafter, execution works will commence even before the formal flag-off ceremony”, Prince Kanu disclosed.
The Commissioner announced that there has been a significant turnaround in the fortunes of the Enyimba Automated Shoe Company and the Enyimba Garments Factory in Aba, saying both firms had been restored to active production after years of decline.
He attributed the revival to reforms initiated under the Otti led administration and the appointment of Ms Nena Kalu Ogba to oversee the companies in 2025.
“Presently, both factories have been restored into active manufacturing outfits through innovation, strategic planning and prudent management of available resources.
“To date, they have been able to establish five production lines for both factories, and the new management are going ahead to develop new brand lines for their products that are capable of competing in international markets”, Prince Kanu said.
He noted that the revival of the Company reflects the present administration’s commitment to industrialization, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Contributing, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Enyimba Automated Shoe Company Limited and Enyimba Garment Factory Limited, Ms. Nena Kalu Ogba, said the state government had successfully revived the two factories through the acquisition of modern production and finishing equipment to enable them compete with global brands.
Ms. Ogba-Kalu, explained that the intervention was aimed at changing the long-held perception that Aba-made products were of inferior quality, noting that the factories had been rehabilitated into conducive production environments.
According to her, workers’ welfare has improved with regular salary payments adding that facilities at the factory were now well positioned to produce high-quality footwear and garments capable of meeting international standards.
