2027: Abia PDP candidate promises industrial hub, interest-free loans for Aba artisans

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Kelechi Anosike, has promised to establish a solar-powered Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Aba and provide interest-free loans to traders and artisans if elected governor in 2027.

Anosike said the proposed industrial hub would be equipped with modern leatherworking, tailoring and garment-production machines to enable thousands of small-scale manufacturers, particularly young entrepreneurs who cannot afford expensive equipment, to produce goods that meet international standards.

He made the pledge during a meeting with representatives of the Aba Leather and Garment Clusters, an association claiming a membership of over 200,000 artisans and entrepreneurs, as part of his campaign tour of the commercial city.

The PDP candidate explained that the facility would operate on a shared-service model, allowing artisans to access sophisticated equipment at affordable rates rather than bearing the cost of purchasing and maintaining individual machines.

Citing a similar initiative by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in Abuja, Anosike said registered users could bring their materials to the centre, pay a modest processing fee and use the available machines to complete jobs for their customers.

“I said we will set up a centre, solar powered, with all kinds of world best machines. Like what SMEDAN did in Abuja, like the tailoring aspect,” he said.

He recalled that a similar industrial facility established in Aba in 2008 by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Federal and Abia State Governments, was subsequently vandalised and abandoned, denying local artisans the benefits it was designed to provide.

Anosike promised to revive the concept under a more sustainable arrangement, describing it as a practical intervention to improve productivity, create employment and strengthen Aba’s position as a major manufacturing centre.

He also pledged to establish a Traders Microfinance Bank to provide interest-free loans and grants to traders, artisans and cooperative societies, enabling them to expand production, acquire equipment and reduce dependence on imported finished goods.

According to him, the scarcity of white-collar employment makes it imperative for government to support small and medium enterprises, particularly in sectors where Nigeria possesses substantial local production capacity.

He argued that stronger government support for indigenous manufacturers would create thousands of jobs, conserve foreign exchange and reduce the country’s dependence on imported goods.

Explaining his economic philosophy, which he described as “productive welfarism,” Anosike said his administration would combine infrastructure development with deliberate investment in the economic well-being of residents.

“I’m a welfarist and the welfarism is not to give you handouts, it’s to empower you to support the state. It is called productive welfarism,” he declared.

He said his campaign slogan, “Aruo Uzo, Aruo Afo” (build roads, build people), reflected his conviction that infrastructure development must translate into improved living conditions and economic opportunities for ordinary citizens.

Anosike also criticised what he described as excessive and anti-people taxation, promising to abolish taxes that disproportionately burden low-income earners and small businesses.

He accused the present administration of failing to provide adequate social protection despite increased federal allocations following the removal of petrol subsidy, maintaining that greater public revenue should translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ welfare.

Earlier, the National Secretary of the Aba Leather and Garment Clusters, Ken Anyanwu, said the delegation sought to engage the PDP candidate on practical measures to upgrade the leather and garment industries to international standards.

Anyanwu, who also serves as cooperative president, described Aba-made leather and garment products as among Africa’s finest, but lamented that successive administrations had failed to provide the institutional support needed to unlock the full potential of local manufacturers.

He said foreign interest in Aba’s manufacturing expertise demonstrated the quality of products being produced by local artisans, stressing that government intervention in equipment, financing and industrial infrastructure would significantly improve their competitiveness.

Anyanwu welcomed the candidate’s proposals, describing support for small and medium enterprises as essential to economic growth and employment generation.

Also at the meeting were Abia PDP Deputy Chairman and Abia South senatorial candidate, Chinyere Onuoha; Aba North/Aba South House of Representatives candidate, Bob Ajuzieogu; Aba Central House of Assembly candidate, Anastasia Uchenna; and Daniel Ajunwa, alongside other party candidates and officials.

They urged members of the clusters to support the PDP in the 2027 general election.

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