As part of its efforts to attract international investment and development support, the Abia State Government has hosted a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a tour of key business establishments and institutions in Aba, the State’s economic hub.
The UNDP delegation visited Geometric Power Aba, Rosies Textiles Mills Limited, Enyimba Hotels, Aba North Industrial Market Shoe Plaza, and the Export Growth Laboratory currently being set up by the State Government at Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.
Addressing journalists after the tour, the UNDP team lead, Mr. Innocent Ejolu, described the visit as an opportunity to assess Aba’s economic potential firsthand and explore areas for possible collaboration.
He revealed that UNDP is keen on investing in manufacturing and export competitiveness, leveraging the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and industrial sector in the State.
Ejolu also noted that UNDP has established an Innovation Hub at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, featuring a state-of-the-art Innovation Park.
He said that the goal is to connect the hub with technical institutions like Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and others to foster an innovation-driven enterprise ecosystem.
Ejolu decried the current situation where Aba artisans import leather from Kano through Italy, describing it as inefficient and unsustainable.
Also Speaking, the leader of the Abia State Government team and Principal Secretary and Chief strategist to Abia state government Mr Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, said Abia has already identified 5 Potential areas for support including Energy, innovation and entrepreneurship, Industry and SMEs Nature and tourism and Promoting Clusters for exports development.
Uzoukwu, said that the primary goal of attracting the body is to establish a strong partnership for development leveraging on their experience, network and resources to accelerate the level of development as envisioned by Governor Alex Otti.
He noted that the drive for the industrialization of Abia and its economy rely greatly on leveraging the potentials in Aba, hence the need to collaborate with development partners such as the UNDP .
Speaking after conducting the team round his Industry,The Managing Director of Rosies Textiles Mills Limited Aba Chief Nnamdi Iro-Oji, who presented samples
of reusable sanitary pad that would be formally launched in May this year, said the company is in need of 10 million US dollars grant to keep the business afloat.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry Chief Nwaka Inem and his counterpart in The Energy sector, Mr Kachi Etoluo among others were part of the tour.
