Mr Onyema Wachuku, Abia State Commissioner for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development, has revealed that the pillars of the state’s economic development remain small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs), as they have the capability of generating over N2b monthly.
Wachuku disclosed this in Abuja while introducing Clement Orjinta and Prosper Chidinma Erem, the state’s SMSE national awards winners, who won N1m prize each in Fashion Designing and Shoemaking Works.
He also spoke about the commitment of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu government to sustain the growth of SMSEs in the state including provision of infrastructure, among others.
According to Wachuku, the governor also sponsored 30 Abia small-scale entrepreneurs and manufacturers for training in China and followed it up with the setting up of an automated show factory at Aba under the supervision of the managers of the China Shoe Factory that trained them.
He added, “The Aba Shoe Factory has the capacity to produce 7,000 pairs of shoes daily and allows the producers access to the machine.”
In response, Orjinta and Erem said they were motivated by their national recognition and the opportunity given them by Governor Ikpeazu to advance their skills and expand the scope of their operations, adding that the factory had also improved the quality of the shoes.
Erem disclosed that she made up her mind to go into shoe making because she lacked shoes as a pupil. Her father who had 13 children and other dependents, could not provide for them for her.
Erem added, “Our training in China changed my mind set because of the volume of demand for my products which are solely men’s shoes. I produce on orders, even as a third year Microbiology student at the University of Port Harcourt.”
Also, Orjinta, appreciated the state government for the initiative and the recognition. He added that the prize he won, his capacity and income had naturally increased.
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