Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia says garment makers and shoemakers in Aba have been equipped and are ready to kit the Nigerian military.

Ikpeazu has, therefore, requested the Federal Government to make a pronouncement for the military and para-military organisations to procure their foot wears from Aba to encourage the manufacturers.

Ikpeazu made the request when he received in audience the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelama, who assured him of the readiness of the Federal Government to partner and collaborate with states in boosting trade and investment.

Ikpeazu said Abia has comparative advantage in leather and garments making, having established a cluster in Aba, adding that Abia is targeting to supply the Nigerian military all her shoe and belt needs in 2016 and 2017.

The governor told the minister that he took some shoemakers and garment makers to Turkey some months ago to understudy Turkish technology in the two sectors. He added that his government has developed a module for acquiring shoemaking machines on credit and paying later.

In pursuit of quality and standard, Ikpeazu said government has established a quality control centre to ensure that made-in-Aba shoes and other products have world-class standard.

He said that the Aba Leather and Garment cluster needs encouragement to develop and grow, stressing: “If there is a pronouncement from the President to stop importation of such products, then all the arrangement of bringing the manufacturers in a cluster would yield the desired result.”

Earlier, the minister had assured of the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate with Abia State in boosting trade and investment, noting that there are a lot of areas where Abia State and the Federal Government could cooperate.

He said the Federal Government, as part of its industrial policy, is interested in partnering with states, especially in boosting the private sector in areas where the states have comparative advantage over others.

Enelama observed that the industrial policies of Abia State are consistent with those of the Federal Government and expressed happiness that the state is taking the initiative in assisting small and medium-scale enterprises to grow.

He said he was aware of the importance of industrial parks in enhancing and developing industrial clusters and commended Ikpeazu. He described the governor as highly credible for the way he is leading the state and expressed his keenness to work together with the state.

The minister later inspected made-in-Aba shoes and belts on display commended the ingenuity of Aba manufacturers, saying that the quality of their products is of requisite standard.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.