Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has disclosed that 30 shoemakers from the state would be departing for the People’s Republic of China on Friday, for training to ensure their capability in shoemaking.
Ikpeazu, who made this known yesterday during his new year message to the people , stated that the 30 persons, with majority drawn from Ariaria International market, Aba were the first batch of 100 shoemakers from the state.
Upon the return of the trainees from China, the governor said the state would procure the full range of equipment required to set up Abia State Automated Shoe Factory in Aba.
He added that the youths would form the nucleus of the workforce in the shoe factory which shall be commissioned before middle of the year.
Ikpeazu disclosed that the shoe factory will “enable Abia State consolidate its status as the pre-eminent destination for leather works in Nigeria and shall serve as an enabler of the diligent work the manual producers have been doing over the years.”
The governor stated that the state has been paying its counterpart funds and noted he has unlocked hundreds of millions of dollars in hitherto trapped funds for the development of the state.
