By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday reiterated Federal Government commitment to improving both commercial and economic status of the southeast as well as completing all projects under its umbrella.

Speaking at the official opening of an ultra – modern, multifunctional and digital leather industrial hub equipped through the collaboration of federal and state government in Ogbunike, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, the VP said the collaboration is geared towards the enhancement of industrialization drives in the state in the area of shoe and other leather production.

He assured stated that both the federal and state government would not relent in making the area conducive for investment.

“The essence of commissioning the facility is to ensure that small businesses get opportunities to sophisticated equipment.

“Federal Government has fulfilled its promise to equip a one stop-center that will house ultra-modern industrial shoe making hub with cutting edge technology,” Osinbajo added.

On her part, the Minister of trade, investment and industry, Ambassador Mariam Katagum, said that the Federal Government is committed to empowering Nigerians saying that the commissioning of the project was a step in the right direction.

In his speech, the State Governor, Willie Obiano, maintained that the economic benefits of the complex are enormous noting that it would create jobs and hundreds of small businesses as well as have a huge impact on the GDP of the state.

He expressed joy that the complex has a factory that is fully equipped with the latest technology for shoe making saying that the process of manufacturing shoes in the state is fully automated from start to finish and compared to the highest shoe making processes in the advanced world.

While commending Federal Government for the creation and effective management of the national MSME’s programmes that resulted in the provision of shoe and leather making digital equipment, the Managing Director, Anambra State small business agency Mr Clement Chukwuka, explained that the agency judiciously and prudently utilized the N2 billion MSMEs from the central bank of Nigeria to achieve its feat.

He described the project as a legacy project with multiplier effects to the state and the nation in general.

Chukwuka called on shoe makers to apply strong professionalism in its management.