The Federal Government has begun plans to support businesses in Abia State, with a particular focus on Aba’s textile and garment industry, as it seeks to address infrastructure and financing challenges affecting the sector.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajimogu, disclosed this on Wednesday when he led a federal delegation to a meeting with Abia State Governor Alex Otti at the Government House in Umuahia.
Uwajimogu said the Federal Government had recognized Aba’s strong industrial base, particularly its textile and garment cluster, and was exploring measures to strengthen businesses operating in the sector.
He said the visit was aimed at deepening cooperation with the Abia government and identifying areas where the Federal Government could bring projects, investments and other interventions to the state.
“One of the biggest things that we see coming out of Abia State is the strong industrial capacity in Aba, particularly in the textile and garments sector,” Uwajimogu said.
He said the government was considering ways to support businesses in the cluster by addressing what he described as two major constraints: inadequate infrastructure and limited access to finance.
FG Targets Infrastructure, Finance
Uwajimogu said the Federal Government was interested in expanding its presence in Abia through projects and programmes that could stimulate economic activity and create more opportunities for businesses.
The delegation also included the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA, Cornelius Adebayo, who sought the state’s support for the establishment of a Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate in Abia.
Adebayo said NALDA’s mandate was centred on reducing poverty through agriculture and described the proposed farm estate as a platform for bringing farmers together while providing infrastructure, security, agricultural inputs and access to markets.
He expressed hope that Abia would host a major NALDA agricultural project, including a processing facility, and appealed to the state government to make suitable land available.
Otti Backs Mega Farm Project
Responding, Governor Otti said his administration was prepared to work with NALDA and other stakeholders to develop Abia’s agricultural sector.
He said the proposed farm settlement could help increase food production, create jobs and reduce the state’s reliance on food brought in from outside the state.
Otti said Abia’s relatively small landmass did not prevent it from having fertile and arable areas suitable for crops including cassava, yam, cocoyam, oil palm and cashew.
The governor also pointed to the farm settlements established in the 1950s and 1960s and the former Star Paper Mill as examples of productive ventures that demonstrated the potential for sustainable industrial and agricultural enterprises in the state.
He said the proposed NALDA project was consistent with his administration’s development plans, particularly efforts to increase local production and strengthen food security.
According to Otti, dependence on imported food was also placing additional pressure on the foreign exchange market, making greater investment in domestic production necessary.
He called for deliberate efforts to expand agricultural production and reduce the pressure created by food imports.
Commissioners Asked to Identify Land
Following the meeting, Otti directed the Commissioners for Agriculture and Lands to identify suitable locations for the proposed mega farm, including existing farm settlements.
He also directed officials to explore measures to strengthen the operations of NALDA’s office in Osisioma.
Members of the Abia State Executive Council attended the meeting as the state government and federal delegation discussed areas of cooperation on industrial development, agriculture and investment.
