Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured that the first ever Abia State Industrial Policy document will serve as a catalyst that will drive industrial revolution of Nigeria from Abia State.
The Governor gave the assurance during the presentation of the Abia State Industrial Policy Document by the ECOWAS Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mr. Jean Bakole at the Government House, Umuahia.
He said that his administration will study the document closely and directed the State Commissioner for Industry, Promotion and Development to set up a team of professionals that would explain the policy to the State Executive Council with a view to convoking a stakeholders meeting in the industrial sector for the official presentation of the policy to the public.
Dr. Ikpeazu said the Abia State Industrial Policy Document is the 3rd of such documents developed by his government, noting that before 2015, Abia State had no Long Term Development Plan and Master Plan for Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia. According to him, lack of understanding of basic issues around problems government seeks to solve is the bane of development in government organisations. He informed that he was proud that at the end of his tenure next year, he would be handing over to Abians two industries, including ENASCO and the Garment Factory, adding that under his administration Abia has become the SME capital of Nigeria and has continued to excel in SME development.
The Governor who thanked the UNIDO Representative for partnering the State, appreciated the milestone achieved and congratulated the Honorable Commissioner for Industry, Promotion and Development for her resilience in achieving the feat.
Speaking also, the Commissioner for Industry, Promotion and Development in the State, Chief Mrs Uwaoma Olenwengwa described the document as one that would assist in industrial development of the State, saying that the administration of Governor Ikpeazu has remained an administration of “first” as Abia State has come up with an Industrial Policy which has never happened before. She appreciated the UNIDO for supporting
in formulating the document for the State and said that the document will prove that Abia is moving forward in industrial development.. She stated that the document will now be brought before the State Assembly for passage into Law.
Presenting the document earlier, the ECOWAS Representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Mr. Jean Bakole said the policy is a key to economic development to State, saying that Abia cannot be ignored whenever issues of industrial sector and development are discussed. He said the document would assist the State in changing the narratives of State industrial development.
Mr. Bakole, who stressed the need for governments to strengthen the capacity of investments in their States, commended the Governor for his commitment to modernize the economy through the industrial policy with which to drive development in the State and urged him to ensure the document is fully implemented and utilised.
Members of the State Assembly – Hon Mike Ukoha, Hon. Goddy Adiele and Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi were present at the event. Members of the State Executive Counci, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugu Kalu Ugba, the Chairman of the Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Sir Joseph Nwabeke, and others were also present at the event.
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