Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has performed the ground breaking ceremony of the Canopy and Allied Workers Industrial Cluster at Umuikaa in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Ikpeazu said that the essence of building Industrial clusters in the State is to provide latitude of opportunities for Artisans to express themselves and contribute to the development of the State.
He said Abia people and Igbos are entreprising and only need the necessary support to push forward. The Governor who informed that the project is of great economic importance, disclosed that over 2000 shops will be built in that cluster and assured that the Local Government Areas and communities around the cluster would benefit from the industrial cluster.
He charged the Developer to ensure the project is built in line with specifications. Speaking also, the State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Industry, Hon. Chukwu Chijioke thanked the Governor for his sustained efforts in industrializing Abia State and said the impact of the industries is great.
He stated that the benefits of the Industrial clusters cannot be overemphasized and assured that the House would support him in that regard. Hon. Chukwu was represented by Hon. Emeka Okorafor.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Rev. Mba Emeh said that the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu led administration has shown great determination to support artisans in the thorough building of industrial clusters, informing that the Canopy and Allied Workers Industrial Cluster is the 4th of the clusters being developed by the present administration in the State.
He said the cluster which is a processing industry would bring about development and thanked the Canopy Makers Association for their cooperation. He told the gathering that the cluster is a Public Private Partnership arrangement with a private sector operator in the Real Estate business, AB Brainy Technocrats and a mortgage Finance outfit, AG Mortgage Bank Plc.
According to him, the cluster will have modern facilities electricity supply, banks, conveniences, security, parking spaces, etc.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the cluster will provide a purpose built and properly regulated business premises for the Canopy makers who are currently scattered around the Osisioma Junction area.
Also speaking, Representatives of the private sector partners lauded the Ikpeazu administration for creating the ambience that had enabled different private sector Operators to come to Abia State to invest and assured that the cluster will be of immense benefit to the state and the canopy makers.
They also assured that the canopy makers will receive different kinds of facilities to support their businesses at the cluster.
Also,the Executive Chairman ,Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Chief Ike Anyatonwu described the location of the cluster as strategic.
He appreciated Governor Ikpeazu for his decision to locate the industrial cluster in the area and assured of the sustained support of his people to him.
Contributing, the Chairman, Canopy Makers Association, Mr Chamberlain Nwaohamuo thanked the Governor for the project saying that for over 30 years ,no government has remembered their contributions to the economy of the State and the large number of people engaged in their business.
According to him, they have seen the Governor’s impact on shoe and garment makers and now it has come to their turn. He assured of the continuous support of his Colleagues to the project. Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishment and Pensions, Mrs Chioma Onyegbu witnessed the event. Agbazuere,Traditional Rulers and some other sons of Isiala Ngwa South LGA also witnessed the event.
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