Otti Wants Managers of Aba Export Growth Lab to Insist on Global Standard

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has tasked managers of Aba Export Growth Lab to maintain strict standards and ensure that only products which meet global specifications were certified for export.

Otti gave the charge during the unveiling of the facility located inside the premises of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

The Aba Export Growth Lab is created to boost business and provide a platform for export development within the State.

In his address at the event, Otti noted that Aba has always needed a whole lot more support than it has been gettiing for decades.

He said that the Aba Export Growth Lab would support entrepreneurs in the State to structure their production, standardise and package them in a way the products would be competitive in the global market.

“So, what we have come here to do is to support our people to structure their production, standardise, package and brand their products in such a way that it will be competitive in the international market.

The governor stressed the need for the managers of the project to fail any product that is sub-standard and ensure that specifications are maintained.

He added that his government has no interest in making money from the project but to support and uplift the entrepreneurs in the State.

“For those who are in one way or the other associated with the export growth lab, the output should be second to none. It would be sad, if you have passed a product and the product fails the test elsewhere,” he said.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Industry and SMEs, Mazi Mike Akpara said that the Aba Export Growth Lab is established to create a pathway for Aba and Abia businesses to gain access to the global market.

Akpara explained that the project was expected to empower entrepreneurs to be visible in the global market, using 20 businesses as pilot and would be focusing on 3 areas of Akwete cloth, footwear and fashion apparels.

In her remarks, the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah assured of the commitment of UNDP to the project, noting that Abia could lead Africa’s industrial renaissance.

In a goodwill message, the Representative of NEXIM Bank, Mrs. Nkeiru Ezenwanne pledged support to the administration of Governor Alex Otti towards the growth and creation of sustainable jobs on key value chains such as, agro-processing, manufacturing, garment, leather and pharmaceuticals.