BY IJENDU IHEAKA
Unarguably, Abia Government’s quest to boost manufacturing and export received a boost with the creation of Aba Export Growth Lab.
At the inauguration of Aba Export Growth Lab on July 8, Mike Akpara, Abia Commissioner for Industry, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), appeared in colourful Akwette traditional attire and a matching red chieftaincy cap and shoes, all produced in Abia.
Akpara’s intentions were obvious; to showcase the creative ingenuity of Aba and Abia people. “Aba industrialists have created value through their products for decades but lacked a structured pathway to global market.’’
Akpara said the lab’s reality manifested a policy shift that would bolster Aba products’ availability on international market shelves focusing on Akwete clothes, safety footwears, protective gears and fashion apparels.
According to Akpara, the planned upscaling of production, packaging, branding and marketing of Aba products will bridge the gap between productivity and international competitiveness.
Observers say the latest move will address the absence of core ingredients of international production in Aba and Abia in line with the good intentions of Gov. Alex Otti’s Government.
They say the move will also boost investors’ confidence. Five years ago, a Bangladeshi company contacted the leadership of Leather Product Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEPMAAS) through an Abia Government official.
The company requested that members of LEPMAAS produce thousands of a certain high quality shoe model for it in Aba. The shoe contract was to bring in millions of dollars in foreign currency to the benefit of the shoe manufacturers and Abia Government.
Afterwards, the company said Aba manufacturers had the willingness and creative expertise to deliver the job tastefully, but their analysis of the requirements for the project’s take-off and success, constrained it to abort the project.
The constraints were the absence of quality raw materials fit for the job and machinery within Nigeria to meet the required specification and the supply deadline.
Aba, the hub of home-made, hand-craft- ed Nigerian shoes and fashion products, is endowed with highly gifted craftsmen and manufacturers whose products stand out in gorgeous designs and elegance anywhere in the world.
Regrettably, Aba manufacturers are still contending with unresolved challenges that continue to mar their opportunities at undertaking rewarding export businesses.
Analysts say the unavailability of quality local raw materials to craft high quality shoes while meeting time-bound production contracts, remains a big challenge in exporting Aba’s products to the world.
They say that most times, the inability of this sector to meet some export requirements lead to the under-pricing of Aba products by some wholesale buyers who move them out of Abia, and without adding value, sell them at the price of imported products in Nigeria.
Speaking during the inauguration of the export lab, Otti laid out plan for the project. He said that the lab was not a moneymaking venture for government but a supportive project for SMEs to benefit Abia people.
“The lab will support Abia manufacturers to structure their production, packaging and branding of their products in standardised formats to make them attractive and competitive in the International Market.”
He said the solution to the needless chase for foreign investors by governments lied in strengthening citizens’ creative and productive capacities without which no investor would come because serious business people research potential partners before engagements.
“And you know that the international market is not deceived, before you board a plane to go searching for foreign investment, the people have done their research about you.
“If you are not intentionally prepared to compete globally, do not even try because you will just waste your time.”
Otti challenged project partners including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support Abia, and assured that the state would not play games or tolerate half measures.
“Any product that does not pass the test, do not be sympathetic to it; fail it so that we can start afresh until we get it to such a specification that it would qualify rightly.
“Our standards are very high; for those working with the lab, the output should be second to none.
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