Abia State Government has announced its readiness to partner with the Republic of Uganda and other countries, bodies and agencies to scale Micro, Small, and Medium-Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).
Governor Alex Otti disclosed this last week Thursday, when he received in audience a delegation of the Ugandan High Commission, led by Philip Ocham Odida, the Country’s Ambassador to Nigeria, who called on him in his office.
The State Chief Executive said that his Administration had been intentional about supporting MSMEs, because it is the backbone of the State’s economy, as Abia remains a State to beat in Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs).
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“When it has to do with MSMEs, the capital is here (Abia), and we are not arrogant about it; it’s the truth.
“If you are looking for people, who are entrepreneurial, people who are creative, ingenious people, people who can make anything, they may not be as sophisticated, but they can make it, and then over time, they can also become experts.
“You need to look no further than Aba and Abia State, and since the inception of this Government, exactly 29 months ago, we have been deliberate about supporting MSMEs, because we know that it is the backbone of our State’s economy,” Governor Otti stated.
The governor explained that Abia with a productive population of about 4.8 million people, who are talented and good at what they do in crafts, ranging from shoes, fabrics and fashion of high quality, which can compete favourably with other producers around the World.
The governor added that Abians are so enterprising that they do not need palliatives and handouts, but are only in need of assistance in terms of an enabling environment.
“We also understand that our people are not people who are looking for palliatives or handouts, they are people who just want the Government to create the enabling environment, and they will take it and run.
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“We are intentional and focused on creating infrastructure, making the place safe, cleaning up the environment, and providing constant power as much as possible.
“And just doing everything to make their businesses thrive. I’m glad that two years and a few months down the line, a lot of things have changed,” Governor Otti stated.
The Abia State Governor directed the relevant Government officials to sit with the Ugandan High Commissioner’s team and work out the details of the proposed collaboration.
“Trade is one thing, but I think beyond trade, there is partnership. That is where I want us to focus on. What are the things that are there that our people need? What are the things we have that your people need? How can we now move from there to even exchange ideas, to work together for the benefit of Nigeria and Uganda?”.
The governor thanked the guest for acknowledging the modest efforts of his administration and assured that he would continue in his efforts to create the enabling environment for businesses to do well.
Philip Ochem Odida, Ugandan High Commissioner, disclosed that they were in the State to seek ways of partnering with Abia to build a sustainable and mutually beneficial economic bridge between Abia State and the Republic of Uganda.
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He described Abia State as a rising centre of innovation, enterprise and economic dynamism in Nigeria, and added that their mission in the State is to explore concrete avenues for economic cooperation between Abia and Uganda, especially in the MSME sector, which forms the backbone of every economy.
The High Commissioner commended Governor Alex Otti’s visionary leadership style, describing it as a model of good governance.
He lauded his prudent financial management and successful industrial revival, disclosing that it is his achievements that attracted them to explore partnership with Abia State.
