Anambra commences shoe production ... target export market
Ogbunike, Nov. 14, 2017 -- Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has inaugurated an ultra modern Anambra State Shoe Manufacturing market.
The market has 1,000 lock up shops with modern facilities, like security post, toilet and banking facilities.
The shops were located at Osile Ogbunike -- Nkwelle Ezunaka, expressway was constructed under a tripartite arrangement -- Anambra State Small Business Agency (ASBA), Anambra Association of Shoes Manufacturers Union and the project Developer.
Inaugurating the market, Gov. Obiano said he would continue to unveil favourable measures that would impact lives of artisans and traders at large.
Obiano, who commended the shoe manufacturers for proper utilisation of ASBA loan facilities, said it would boost production in the state as well as create jobs for the youths.
``I will continue to support them to ensure massive production of different shoes. They must be identified with Anambra State when produced.
``This is to enable us to commence export of Anambra made shoes across the country," Obiano pointed out.
A representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Osita Nwasinobi explained that the essence of ASBA in 2015 was to support medium businesses and promote grassroots development.
Nwasinobi commended Anambra for embracing the policy, urging other states to key into further engaging the youths meaningfully.
A Representative from Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Mrs Ihuoma Olujie said her agency would partner with them to ensure quality in the production.
``We will provide technical advice to ensure that the shoes meet the required standards prescribed by SON.
``The multiple effects is job creation, security, industrialisation and it will link Anambra to the global market,” Olujie explained.
The Managing Director ASBA, Chief Clement Chukwuka said the agency had developed Micro, Small and Medium enterprises industrial clusters, and provided single digit - interest financial support to MSMEs in the state.
The Chairman Shoe Manufacturers Association Anambra State, Chief Clement Emesim explained, ``ASBA gave a loan of N500, 000 to each of our 400 members, totalling a whooping N200 million for construction of this magnificent edifice’’.
Emesim said they would compete with global markets in shoe production and promote Anambra on the fashion map of the world.
The Chairman ASBA and the Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Greg Obi re-stated that the market would boost commercial activities in the area and grassroots development.
The governor also inaugurated an administrative hall within the premises constructed under the N10 million project initiative allocated to each of the 63 registered markets in the state.