GRBusiness
Abia blames core investor for delay in Aba Leather/Garment Cluster take-off
The Abia Government has blamed the core investor for the delay in realisation of the Umukalika Leather/Garment Cluster facility project in Aba.
The state Commissioner for Industry, Chief Henry Ikoh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Aba that the investor, Reticulated Construction Nigeria Ltd. was not doing what the government had demanded of them.
He said the state government would soon decide on the way forward and what to do with the investor.
“If you call me in two weeks’ time, I shall be able to tell you if we are going on with him (the core investor) or not.
“What we planned is not what the government is seeing on ground at the site now,” he said.
According to him, though work is ongoing at the site, as the government has acquired a 500 KVA generator for its operations.
On alleged extortion of the project’s stakeholders by officials of his ministry, which they noted was also hindering take-off of the facility, Ikoh said he was yet to receive any complaint.
He, however, said that the N7,000 the off-takers were to pay was a “small amount of money” for forms to enable the government know the type of shop each applicant would need.
The commissioner said the state government was committed to clustering major businesses in Aba, adding: “Umukalika is for real and it is going to happen”.
Ikoh said that the government had also created and was working on what he called “the mechanic cluster” at Ovom Community in Obingwa Local Government Area for motor parts dealers and mechanics.
However, Mr Emem Coffie, the Managing Director, Reticulated Construction Nigeria Ltd, the contractor handling the project, said the company was waiting for guarantee from Abia state government to commence work.
He said that since they took over the job in 2015, they had spent so much money but when asked what the money was spent on, as there was virtually nothing at the site, he got angry.
Coffie said that his company had only collected N200,000 from the sale of forms to off-takers, and so could not do much until the end-users make enough commitment to the project.
According to him, the Umukalika cluster project is a Public-Private Partnership project as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) his company signed with Abia government and the off-takers.
According to him, the off-takers are to buy application forms for N7,000, fill and return it with initial deposit of N50,000 to show commitment before his company can begin work.
He said that these were some of the terms of agreement between both parties upon which his company could get the assistance of a bank to commit to building the project.
Coffie, however, said “things are on course” regarding the project.
A correspondent of NAN, however, visited the site and discovered that it was virtually empty, except for a block of building, which was just at the foundation level.
NAN also observed that weeds had also covered the rest of the openings dug for the foundation of some of the facility’s buildings.
It would be recalled that the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, had promised to develop industrial clusters in Aba when he assumed office in 2015, beginning with Umukalika Leather/Garment cluster.
But three years down the line, the plan to establish clusters for these creative, artisanal sectors had been mired in perpetual delays.
The President, Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Aba (LEPMAS), Mr Okechukwu Williams, said that there was the need to cluster the leather and garment sectors in Abia.
He said that this was because a cluster assembles small and medium scale manufacturers under one roof, providing them with common facilities like power, water, access roads and equipment.
According to him, clustering the sectors together will ensure increased productivity, creation of jobs in the affected sectors and fostering the competitiveness of their products against imported ones.
Williams said that the Leather Workers would prefer to be given another site with landed documents to enable them get banks that could build the facility for them in record time.
The President, Association of Tailors and Fashion Designers (AFTAD), Abia State, Mr Onyebuchi Nwaigwe, said there were many problems facing the realisation of the Umukalika cluster facility project.
He said that the realisation of a leather and garment cluster facility in Aba would require government knowing what the end users would need in the facility and what they were willing to do to have such facility.
He said that the personnel government sent to supervise the projects were not sincere, hence the delay and non-commitment shown over the years in the project resulting in its non-realisation.
Nwaigwe, therefore, urged the state government to hand over the Umukalika Cluster project to sincere and upright people who would not seek to “make millions” from it to ensure its realisation.
Both Nwaigwe and Williams agreed that the size of the Umukalika project would serve only one of the sectors.
They said that merging leather and garment workers at the place would result in some workers remaining at their old shops at Ariaria after others had moved to Umukalika.
They advised the state government to take a census of the leather and garment sector workers in Aba to know their numerical strength before deciding where to relocate any of them.
According to them, the census will save the government the stress of doing a haphazard job that will result in government’s inability to solving the targeted problem. (NAN)
Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMBs) are the backbone of most economies accounting for 90% of businesses, over 70% of employment, and 50% of global GDP, according to the United Nations. They drive growth, innovation, and job creation worldwide.
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Recognising their impact, WhatsApp is committed to empowering SMBs with the tools to succeed through the WhatsApp Business App, by reaching their customers where they already are.
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Bolt, the leading ride-hailing platform, on Thursday, 19th of March hosted an Iftar gathering in Kano to bring together Muslim drivers during the holy month of Ramadan.
The event was not only an opportunity to share a meal but also served as a platform for open dialogue, feedback exchange, and community building within the Bolt driver network.
The Iftar event, held in recognition of the significance of Ramadan, reinforced Bolt’s commitment to supporting its driver-partners and fostering inclusivity across all communities. The gathering provided an environment for drivers to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and engage directly with the Bolt team in a collaborative discussion about improving their experience on the platform.
Speaking during the event, Osi Oguah, the general manager for Bolt Nigeria said: “At Bolt, we recognize the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our driver-partners.
This Iftar event was more than just a meal, it was a chance to connect, listen, and understand the challenges and needs of our drivers in Kano. We appreciate their dedication, especially during this sacred period of Ramadan.”
Drivers in attendance expressed their appreciation for the initiative, highlighting the sense of belonging and recognition the event fostered. Many also welcomed the opportunity to discuss ways to improve their overall experience on the Bolt platform, making it a productive and meaningful engagement for all participants.
Nura Muhammed, a driver-partner said: “We want to say thank you to Bolt for this initiative, if my knowledge serves me right, this is the first time a ride-hailing company will organize such an event in Kano. This event has also made it possible for us to share some feedback to them physically and we drivers mostly get to connect through our online platform but today, we’re able to meet physically, mingle and exchange pleasantries”
Bolt remains committed to strengthening driver engagement and well-being, and this Iftar gathering is part of a broader effort to continuously support and empower driver-partners across Nigeria.
Finance
Flutterwave Powers Local Businesses in Ghana Through Pay With Bank Transfer
Reporter: Ikenna Ugwu
Flutterwave, a leading payments technology company in Africa, has broadened its reach in Ghana through the integration of Pay With Bank Transfer, done in partnership with Affinity Bank.
With over 115 million bank transfer payments recorded in Ghana in 2023, this move will ensure that Flutterwave businesses in Ghana can now receive payments seamlessly and securely through a rapidly growing payment method. While Mobile Money leads as the preferred payment type for everyday transactions in Ghana, the recent growth in transactions for Pay With Bank Transfer symbolizes the expanding payment options available for Ghanaian businesses.
Flutterwave has a track record of driving innovation in the African finance ecosystem, and this new development promises versatility, thereby expanding the pool of customers available to businesses. As a preferred payment method, it also promises faster payments while providing access to a more secure process of transacting which benefits both the sender and the receiver (business).
“We are excited to extend our services to the Ghanaian market” says Olugbenga Agboola, Flutterwave Founder & CEO“At Flutterwave, we are driven by the vision of building Africa’s economy. By making payment options like Pay With Bank Transfer available for everyday use, we are expanding access to payments and enabling local businesses to thrive in the economy”
By establishing this strategic partnership, Flutterwave aims to drive the adoption of the Pay With Bank Transfer option in Ghana, using virtual accounts to allow for secure and transparent payments. This will provide enterprises and small businesses with a simpler way to receive payments and give their customers a seamless process of making payments.
Geoffrey Fiador, Manager, Country Operations and Partnerships, at Flutterwave stated: “By delivering essential payment options like Pay With Bank Transfer for businesses in Ghana, we’re providing an easy way for them to increase their revenue opportunities to grow their businesses. ”
This announcement comes at the heels of Flutterwave’s recent approval by the Bank of Ghana to provide inward remittance services. With a track record of success across Africa, Flutterwave continues to be a trusted partner for businesses in over 34 countries, providing the tools and expertise necessary for success in the dynamic African market.
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