FG PLANS SUPPORT FOR ABA TEXTILE BUSINESSES, AGRICULTURE IN ABIA

The Federal Government is exploring ways to support businesses in Abia State, particularly textile and garment manufacturers in Aba, as well as the agricultural sector.

The Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajimogu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

Uwajimogu said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Federal and state governments and identifying opportunities for federal projects and investments in the state.

He said the government had recognised Aba’s strong industrial capacity, especially in textiles and garments, and was considering ways to address challenges affecting businesses in the sector.

According to him, infrastructure and access to finance are among the major challenges facing businesses, and the Federal Government is exploring measures to help address them.

He added that the government was interested in bringing its programmes and projects to Abia to support economic development.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, Cornelius Adebayo, said the agency was seeking the state government’s support for its Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate programme.

Adebayo said the programme is designed to bring farmers together, provide infrastructure and security, improve access to farm inputs and markets, and create sustainable incomes.

He expressed hope that Abia would host a major NALDA agricultural project, including a processing facility, and asked the state government to provide suitable land.

Governor Otti welcomed the proposed collaboration, saying his administration was ready to work with NALDA and other stakeholders to develop agriculture in the state.

He said Abia had fertile land suitable for crops including cassava, yam, cocoyam, oil palm and cashew, despite the state’s relatively limited landmass.

Otti also stressed the need to increase local agricultural production, noting that dependence on food imports puts additional pressure on the country’s foreign exchange market.