By Babalola Seyi
Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, has pledged to make Abia State a significant exporter of manufactured products if elected.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking to a large crowd at the party’s presidential rally at Umuahia Township Stadium.
The former Lagos State governor praised Abians for their hard work and vowed to provide an atmosphere in which they may prosper in whatever they chose to accomplish.
“Your state is a center of production and industry,” Tinubu said in a statement published by the Tinubu Media Office and signed by Tunde Rahman. Today, my hope is restored that we may accomplish tremendous industrial activity in our history by working together.
“Aba market is one of the largest in West Africa. I see it becoming a major exporter of all types of manufactured goods to Asia, North and South America and Europe.
“I see this state humming with industrial activity such that it will become a world-famous centre of activity from the manufacture of clothing to that of cars, appliances and computers and their components.
“We will provide better infrastructure to open the region and the entire country to the trade, export, travel and tourism in which you will excel. This includes roads, waterways, ports, rail and the provision of steady reliable power.”
He also spoke of other plans for the state, saying, “The teeming youth population standing before me makes my heart glad. We have good plans for you! God’s Own Youths! You are blessed! We will empower you. There will be jobs for those who desire jobs by providing tax and other employment credits to employers, encouraging them to hire you.
“My government shall support those starting their own businesses. My digital economy plan calls for one million new jobs in ICT within 24 months in office.
“We are also investing in an educational system that will provide you with skills that make you globally competitive while also affording you a good standard of living,” he added.
“Our national security policy will function to give peaceful living clear of violence and fear. Insecurity will be tackled using advanced technological platforms for surveillance and tracking of kidnappers and violent criminals.
“Security forces will be better trained and better compensated. They will exercise restraint when needed but will also show strength whenever put to the test.
“This nation will be a safe and prosperous place to live in,” he added.
