ABIA SET TO HAVE THE BIGGEST EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE IN SOUTH-EAST/SOUTH-SOUTH

Abia State government says it is working with the Federal Government, the World Bank and other international development partners to set up an export processing Zone in the State.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu announced this in Aba during a stakeholders meeting with the representative of 32 communities from the three Local Government Areas which are expected to host the project.

The project known as the Enyimba International City is to be cited on 9,300 hectares of land covering 32 communities in Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunabo Local Government Areas of the State.

Governor Ikpeazu explained that the export  processing zone when operational, was  expected to generate over a million jobs, stressing the areas were chosen because of its strategic nearness to two air and Sea ports, Railway lines and its connection to the South-South Geopolitical zones.

“That city is located between Aba and Portharcourt, you can have a catchment business progression of 25 million people are at the confluence of all the states in the south-south and south-east.”

Governor Ikpeauzu noted that several Foreign Investors had already indicated interest in the project and assured the host communities that they would be carried along in all aspects  of its development, just  as their interests would be protected.

In an address, the State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Chief UcheIhediwa, said the project was anchored on the need to create  jobs by increasing Private Sector participation through manufacturing.

A Traditional Ruler fromUkwa East Local Government Area, Eze Anthony Wabara Kara, his counterpart from Ukwa West Local Government Eze Godwin Ukana and Mrs. Chinedu Brown, called for concerted effort to ensure the realization of the project in view of its benefits.

“I’m optimistic, that I will boost Abia State that it will improve our economic situation, give jobs to the people and everybody will be happier for it.

“It is for development, we sincerely welcome it.

“The youths there will be employed, revenue will be generated.”

The Enyimba Industrial City is modeled after the development plan that was implemented in Dubai and is projected to be a major business hub in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.

JOHN MADUAGWU