“if the manufacturing takes place right here in Aba and the distribution and final consumption all begins and transcends right here from Aba, the government will be the first clients and will influence residents and Nigerians to patronize the Made in Aba products”
By Njoku SaintJerry A.
In its drive to boost the local economy and put the “Aba Made” brand on international spotlight the Alex Otti government has announced plans to roll out a new policy framework that would promote the exclusive procurement of Made-in-Abia goods and services in the State.
I have been on the long night ride with traders from the South West, especially Lagos and parts of the Southern states that troops in to Aba to shop for several commodities and the narration on goods and services especially the trading of commodities and manufacturing of international brands either fabricated or reproduced in its original quality right here in the city of Aba is something of a pride.
Unfortunately, local politics has not enabled key administrators in the South Eastern state to see the bigger picture in this economy drive strategy until the emergence of the Alex Otti government.
No doubt’ background experience counts immensely and putting those experiences to work requires sincerity and commitment to put the right infrastructures into place that will drive those lofty ideas that are designed to boost the economy and not mere lip-serving political rhetoric on developments that rarely happens.
In a statement released by the Honorable Commissioner of Information Prince Okey Kanu, the policy when implemented will boost the Local content laws in Abia and is certain to grow the commercial rating of the state.
Prince Kanu, emphasized that the policy when fully operational would make it possible that all goods and services obtainable in the state would not be procured from outside the state.
There is a practical example to this idea with the procurement of ‘Roxette’ brand Hilux Jeep, neatly and carefully assembled in Abia state by an independent business man from Abia, the government placed a sizeable order of about 30 pieces distributed among members of the State House of Assembly and some key officers of the Alex Otti government giving a clear signal; “Make it here and we will be the first to patronize the business.”
According to Kanu, the policy is a strategic response to the challenges posed by global economic uncertainties and inflation in Nigeria.
Taking a clear cue from the Indonesia Textile Industry which has brought an immense economic turnaround to the GDP of the Indonesian government from exporting textile materials alone whereas Aba remains the headquarters of the textile business in Nigeria and across West Africa.
The Abia State Local Content Policy simply states that, there will be no need or rather it will be more frustrating to leave the center of business to travel all the way to China and other Asian countries only to return with imported textile or leather materials to sale in Aba whereas, if the manufacturing takes place right here in Aba and the distribution and final consumption all begins and transcends right here from Aba, the government will be the first clients and will influence residents and Nigerians to patronize the Made in Aba products to boost the local economy.
Prince Kanu further noted that the initiative aligns with recent efforts by Governor Otti to promote indigenous goods, – “As a forward thinking Government, Abia state Government is deliberate about the management of its local economy in order to boost the production of goods and services responsible for the overall health of the State’s economy” He said.
This will serve a welcome development to intending manufacturers willing to relocate their businesses to the center of trade and commerce in Nigeria and Abia has made clear its position in providing not only enabling environment but providing clientele to the products that will be manufactured right in its soil.
