Stakeholders sign MOU with developer to build Aba leather, garment cluster

Aba (Abia) Sept. 16, 2021

By Ijendu Iheaka 

Key stakeholders in the planned development of Aba Leather and Garment Cluster sited at Umunneato, Obingwa LGA, on Thursday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commence the project immediately.

Total Value Integrated Services Nig. Ltd, the clusters’ developer and the artisans who are the off-takers of the shops to be built signed the agreement in a ceremony at Hotel De’ La Paix, Aba.

The off-takers comprise the Leather and Allied Product Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEPMAAS) and Union of Tailors and Fashion Designers of Abia (UTFD).

During the event, LEPMAAS President, Mazi Okechukwu Williams said that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu had ordered the stakeholders to commence work on the site two months ago but that it was delayed to set somethings right.

Williams who said the journey had not been easy for LEPMAAS members and the garment union members thanked God and governor Ikpeazu for making the process a reality.

“We are here today kicking off the development of leather and garment cluster, I am happy. The ball is now in our court and we should be committed to making this project successful.

“Lots of agreements have been made and today we are going to put our hands to paper to sign the final MOU.

“By signing this MOU, we are giving Integrated the power to go to site immediately just as it also gives us powers as partners”, he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Mr Cletus Mbah who represented the governor said the cluster would make the artisans and their children shop owners for life.

He said constructing the cluster would gulp over N30 billion and would have facilities such as Police post, banks, fire service post, CCTV cameras, hotels and other related services.

He promised that Ikpeazu will inaugurate the project before he leaves office in 2023 adding that the place would give the artisans opportunity to gain what they have been losing in the past.

The CEO of Total Value Integrated Services Nig. Ltd, Dr Chris Simon said the company had received approval by Ikpeazu to develop the cluster which would host 15,000 shops.

He said they have worked with the Industry Ministry to ensure that payment for shop ownership would be easy for the off-takers adding that their payment will be spread across 4 years.

He appealed to them to key into the project and ensure it is a success..

Waste management staff allegedly wastes teenager in Aba

Aba, Sept. 13, 2021

By Ijendu Iheaka 

Mr Okeugo Ugonna, a refuse disposal agent for Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) on Sunday evening allegedly killed one Master Daniel Ogbonna in Aba close to a receptacle.

An eyewitnesses, who although close to Ogbonna, did not want his name printed, said he Ogbonna is a native of Amaogwugwu Village, Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia and was just 17 years.

The incident happened near an ASEPA receptacle on Jubillee Road by Asa Road junction at about 5 : 30 pm Sunday when the young Ogbonna went to dispose refuse at the place.

This site learnt that Ogbonna, who resides at No 36 St. Michael's Road, Aba was killed allegedly by the suspect for disposing his refuse at the base of the receptacle because it was filled.

Aba residents have asked for more receptacles several times to aid proper disposal of their refuse but the call had not been heeded although the residents pay ASEPA fees at homes, offices and markets.

The short supply of receptacles for many years now in Aba had contributed to the culture of residents dumping refuse at the base of filled receptacles in the city.

The eyewitness said that the receptacles had been filled before Ogbonna got there and because that one was the only receptacle serving a large population, he did what he had to do.

“I came to Jubilee Road near the place to pick my motorcycle from a mechanic workshop when I saw the ASEPA man, called Biggy, in charge of that bucket ordering one of his men to run after the boy who just poured refuse there and left. 

“The man who Biggy sent to get the boy ran after him although the boy wasn't running because he never knew they were after him. 

"Suddenly I saw him dragging the boy along. The next thing I saw was a heavy blow that landed the boy on the asphalted road. The boy rose and fell flat without moving again.

"On seeing what he had done, the ASEPA agent tried running away before some Jubilee Road boys caught him and handed him over to Aba Central Police Station. 

On seeing what had happened, Biggy ran away too. I'm sure the police will be after him now”, he said.

A reliable Police source at the Aba Central Police Station told our Correspondent that, Okeugo Ugonna who hails from Ekeakpara Community in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia is currently in police net.

The source also said that the Police is now searching for Biggy to come and explain his role in the gruesome murder of Ogbonna.

When contacted, the Deputy General Manager, ASEPA, Aba Zone, Mr Rowland Nwakamma said he was not aware of such incident and promised to reach out to his staff in the area to get more details.

"But we did not send anybody to beat residents. If that had been our operational style, we would have killed many people. I did not send anybody to beat or kill people.  

"I wonder also if the person that you said killed the 17 year old boy is my staff because my staff closed earlier by 4 pm yesterday because of the IPOB sit-at-home. 

"I have not received such a report but now that you have given me this information, I will get in touch with my staff to know what happened”, he said.

Abia PPRO, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, when contacted, said he was not aware of the case but added “if you say that the suspect is now in Police custody, investigations will now follow”.