Abia LIFE-ND Project, an initiative of Federal Government, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, showcased its priority commodities at the maiden edition of Aba International Trade Fair, November 30, 2024.
Flagging off the Trade Fair, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, commended the revival of micro, small and medium scale enterprises which over time took flight from the State owing to social infrastructure decay, adding that Aba had returned to its past glory within the 18 months of his government.
"Aba faced severe difficulties over two decades or so, as social infrastructure deteriorated, forcing many individuals and business entities to move to other places.
" Am glad to say that in the last 18 months, a lot have been done to restore the old glory of this great City through extensive investments in road infrastructure projects, security, waste management, reorientation and stakeholder engagement as to work collectively to rebuild and reposition for the opportunities tomorrow," he said.
He commended the"can-do spirit" of the people, for returning the City to a major industrial and commercial destination in the West African region, noting that the City has immense potentials for big and small businesses to explore, possessing a "hidden gem", big market size, skilled and industrious workforce to drive long-term growth.
He equally praised the courage of the people in venturing into automotive industry, despite the challenges and complexities, while advising the people to look beyond this façade, to harness the opportunities and build attendant partnerships that come with these investments.
According to the Governor,
"This Trade Fair is unique in many ways, having participants from all sessions of the country. It's gratifying to see that multiple business ecosystems are represented from the emerging players in the renewable energy space to the most dominant names in civil engineering, construction, shoe and garment, real estate and energy, of course, oil services, insurance, banking sector, financial service sectors and household appliances."
Addressing the journalists, the Abia LIFE-ND Project Coordinator, Uchenna Rowland Onyeizu, Ph.D, CEnv, said that the participation of LIFE-ND Project in the Trade Fair, is the collaboration of Ministry of Agriculture and Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (ACCIMA), to exhibit Project's priority commodities of oil palm processing, poultry and cassava productions, including their value chains, for visibilities.
Dr Onyeizu who was represented by State Agribusiness Promotion Officer, Mr Chukwuekezie Godwin, thanked the organisers for selecting the Project to participate in the Trade Fair.
The President of ACCIMA, Geoffrey Uzoagbara attributed the success of the Fair to State Governor's reforms in economy, infrastructure and provision of security, among others, confirming that the City holds endless opportunities to local and foreign investors.
The 10-day exhibition fair had In attendance, the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, while major discussants included, Dr Maraizu C. G Uche and Victor Uruaka, (YRGP).
