Abia, UNIDO hold stakeholder workshop to provide industrial policy document

The Abia State government in collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has held stakeholders validation workshop in Umuahia, the state capital, a bid to provide the state with sound industrial policy document.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu while speaking during the workshop commended the consultants who joined hands with the state Ministry of Industries and UNIDO to provide the industrial policy document of the state government.

Ikpeazu, who spoke through Chris Ezem, the secretary to the state government, said his administration had done so much in the promotion of garments and leather industries in the state and also reviving some moribund industries.

He noted that as soon as the document was realised, it would form the policy guide for all industries in Abia.

Uwaoma Olewengwa, the commissioner for industries, in her speech hinted that the state government decided to have the industrial policy document in order to restore confidence in prospective investors in the state.

She disclosed that some time in the past, an investor from Czech Republic was in the state to establish waste to wealth industry but requested for the industrial policy document of the state but none was available, hence the government’s resolve to have one.

Olewengwa stated that UNIDO lays emphasis on industrial policy document before the organisation could come to assist, hence the meeting to articulate the contents of the document, adding that at the end of the meeting, Abia would be a viable place for investment.

In his brief remarks, John Bankole, the Country Director of UNIDO, said the organisation promotes accelerated inclusive industrialisation and provides technical assistance.

Bankole, who was represented by Bamidele, noted that Abia Sate was one state that UNIDO found very important because the people are highly enterprising and garments and leather clusters abound there.