Aba traders export N1bn worth of goods weekly –Ikpeazu

— 7th March 2017
•We’ll continue to promote made-in-Nigeria goods, says Saraki

From Fred Itua and Walter Ukaegbu, Abuja #SunNews

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has disclosed that local manufacturers of shoes and leather products in Aba export at least one million shoes to Europe on a weekly basis.


The governor made the disclosure during a trade fair showcasing Made-in-Aba products in Abuja, yesterday.

The fair was part of efforts by the Federal Government to promote and boost local manufacturing.

Governor Ikpeazu who presided over the opening ceremony of the fair, said there are 15,000 shoemakers in Aba, who produce 300,000 shoes daily while one million of those shoes find their ways to Europe and other parts of the world on a weekly basis. The exports are estimated at about N1 billion weekly.

The governor said the state is happy that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had approved the garment making industry of the made-in- Aba sector.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who was represented by Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said the Senate would continue to do everything to promote made in Nigeria goods. He said the Senate had taken it upon itself from last year to amend the Procurement Act to ensure local manufacturers benefit from the over N2 trillion government expenditure on procurement.

“On our part, we in the Nigerian Senate and the National Assembly as a whole, will continue to do everything within our mandate and powers to ensure that our domestic manufacturers and service providers have the enabling environment that they need to thrive. Working with the Federal Government, we will push for improved infrastructure, financial investment and technology to boost our domestic manufacturing value chain,” Saraki said.

Senator Na’Allah, in his own remarks said Nigeria needs Igbo now more than ever before, adding: “If there is anytime Nigeria needs the Igbo, it is now.”

According to the Senator, the ingenuity of the Igbo hasd enhanced Nigeria’s production capacity over the years. He said the decision of governments over the years to neglect the productive instinct of the Igbo led to the backward state of the economy adding that “in God’s wisdom, recession has come to force us to look inwards.”

Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, said small and medium enterprises were responsible for 84 per cent of the Nigerian labour workforce.

He said: “In Nigeria, SMEDAN/NBS survey, 2014 estimated a total of 37 million MSMEs. These contribute total employment of 59.7 million persons (or 84 per cent of Nigeria labour force, 48 per cent to nominal Gross Domestic Product(GDP) and 7.3 per cent to exports respectively.”

He said 98 per cent of the MSMEs are micro enterprises, employing less than 10 persons, the SMEDAN has taken it upon itself to help grow their capacities to enable Nigeria realise her economic aspirations.

He said that so far, over 400 enterprises have showcased their products in the Made in Aba Trade Fair adding that with an average 200 persons visiting per day, the fairs were adjudged good and successful.

Applaudable

Anambra is doing well.
Abia is doing well.
Enugu is doing well.
Imo is doing well.
Ebonyi is doing well.


The southeast is truly blessed.

the evidence of the tax from such business must show on the social amenities so that investors can come and physically see d place DAT is bringing dem quality products

HRHQueenPhil:
the evidence of the tax from such business must show on the social amenities so that investors can come and physically see d place DAT is bringing dem quality products

You want them to destroy small businesses with heavy tax? THen use the money to provide "heaven on earth" for some stvupid white man, and beg him to come and take over as "investors". How do nigerians reason sef?

igwebuike01:

You want them to destroy small businesses with heavy tax? THen use the money to provide "heaven on earth" for some stvupid white man, and beg him to come and take over as "investors". How do nigerians reason sef?

wat is Di's one saying? is it not tax money DAT Lagos use to revamp their state and turned it to a mega city,now investors are choosing to invest dere? dere is no way aba will be exporting 1 billion naira worth of goods and govt won't take anything. pls enlighten me if am wrong not insults, I hate Nigerians who do that. I know akwa ibom was revamped through oil money, its d major thing that is working for dem not their oron fish market. so why is Aba not developed...are u saying dey don't collect tax from their indigenes?

Im shocked to hear just 1billion Naira per week. That's a very moderate figure for Ibo to boast on.

HRHQueenPhil:

wat is Di's one saying? is it not tax money DAT Lagos use to revamp their state and turned it to a mega city,now investors are choosing to invest dere? dere is no way aba will be exporting 1 billion naira worth of goods and govt won't take anything. pls enlighten me if am wrong not insults, I hate Nigerians who do that. I know akwa ibom was revamped through oil money, its d major thing that is working for dem not their oron fish market. so why is Aba not developed...are u saying dey don't collect tax from their indigenes?

aba is just a town, but look at how you are comparing it with Lagos and Akwa ibom which are states. T.A orji abandoned aba to rot because of political enemity but he left many signature projects in Umuahia the state capital including international conference center and Abia Mall. The neglect of Aba is being fixed with the speed of light. Please enjoy your "investors" alone. we will not engage in elitist project to please white man and beg him to come, we will provide the basic across all parts of the state for our people to thrive wherever they are

igwebuike01:

aba is just a town, but look at how you are comparing it with Lagos and Akwa ibom which are states. T.A orji abandoned aba to rot because of political enemity but he left many signature projects in Umuahia the state capital including international conference center and Abia Mall. The neglect of Aba is being fixed with the speed of light. Please enjoy your "investors" alone. we will not engage in elitist project to please white man and beg him to come, we will provide the basic across all parts of the state for our people to thrive wherever they are

wich one is enjoy your investors alone? wat a child. even d question was not answered fully.