The Abia Government on Wednesday solicited the support and collaboration of African Development Bank (AfDB) on job creation to better the lives of its people.
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The Bank’s Communication and External Relations Department in a statement said Gov.nOkezie Ikpeazu of the state led a delegation to the AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, at the bank’s headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Ikpeazu said a thriving entrepreneurship industry and agricultural base in the state were the foundation for the creation of a potentially viable industrial hub.
He said the discussion he had with Adesina centred on investment for Abia to help boost job creation and enhance livelihoods.
“Our vision is to leverage the capacity of our people to become the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) capital of Nigeria.
“Our people are industrious and innovative. For instance, our people are known as top players in the leather industry.
“We have a new shoe factory that is producing over 50,000 shoes. We particularly need the Bank’s help to address the State’s infrastructure deficit,” he said.
The governor noted that with a population of over 2.8 million, the state was looking up to the bank to help make Enyimba Economic City (EEC), an ambitious economic hub, a reality.
He stated that the state government’s goal was to transform the region into a manufacturing and industrial powerhouse and create 700,000 jobs in five years.
He added that the project which was presented at the bank’s 2019 Africa Investment Forum, had received significant investor interest.
The statement noted that the bank’s support was also sought to facilitate the Abia Integrated Infrastructural Project designed to develop massive infrastructure in the state, especially in the commercial city of Aba and the state capital of Umuahia.
Ikpeazu also requested the bank’s support for the development of key agricultural value chains, including palm oil, rice, cocoa, cassava, maize and cashew, that would also create jobs for women and youth.
Accompanying the governor were the Commissioner for Works, Chidozie Bob Ogu; Commissioner for Finance, Aham Uko; Commissioner for Agriculture, Ikechi Mgbeoji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Governmental Affairs, Chinenye Nwaogu.
Respinding, Adesina noted that Abia state had huge potential in agro processing and human resources.
“The bank’s role is to support governments like yours to transform their economies and create jobs.
“Over the years, Aba has evolved as a centre of entrepreneurship and SMEs.
“The city has the potential to be a competitive industrial hub for Nigeria and for Africa. For this reason, the bank will continue to support your vision,” Adesina said.