The Abia Government says it has partnered the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to prepare local entrepreneurs for exports and tackle counterfeit and substandard products in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.

Kanu said that the Ministry of Trade and Commerce had partnered the SON to train and certify entrepreneurs in the state to meet international standards for export.

He said that the initiative would improve the quality of Made-in-Abia products, eliminate counterfeit and substandard goods from markets, particularly in Aba, and position local manufacturers for the global market.

On Education, the commissioner  announced that the Umuomaiukwu Smart School project  in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area had been completed and would be inaugurated for public use on Wednesday.

He said that the school, formerly a conventional public primary school, had been transformed into one of the state’s flagship smart schools under the Smart School Initiative to improve access to technology-driven basic education.

On flood control, Kanu said the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) had intensified the desilting of drainage channels across flood-prone areas of the state capital.

He listed the affected locations as Adelabu Street, ShopRite-Uwalaka Street, Asaba Street Junction-Warri Road, Ndume Otuka Road, Winners Church-Ndume Road, Church of Christ-Ugba Road and Finbarrs Road.

The commissioner also said the state government was reviewing the condition of markets within and around Umuahia as part of its urban renewal programme.

According to him, the Ogwumabiri Market near Abia Tower falls among the markets being considered for either comprehensive renovation or relocation to improve the aesthetics of the capital city.

He further disclosed that the government had approved erosion control works in Emede Ibeku Community and authorised UCDA to commence intervention on the site.

Kanu said that the tendering process for the proposed Pocket Estate Layout had been concluded, adding that the provisional list of successful contractors would be released on Tuesday.

He also said that work was progressing steadily at the Green City Site and Services Estate in Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, where perimeter fencing, internal roads and land parcelation had been completed.

On agriculture, Kanu said that the state government had approved the Planning Committee for the implementation and inauguration of the Nigeria Agri-Business and Agri-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI).

He said that the committee comprised representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Industry and SMEs, the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture and national research institutes.

According to him, Abia would become the ninth state to inaugurate the initiative, with the date to be announced after consultations with the Federal Government.

He said that the partnership was designed to unlock the state’s agricultural and agro-industrial potential and promote economic diversification through agro-processing.

He further disclosed that Abia Government approved the establishment of two pilot greenhouses in each of the state’s three senatorial districts.

He said that the project would aim at promoting year-round vegetable production under controlled conditions and advancing the state’s agricultural transformation agenda

Kanu also announced that preparations had commenced for the third Aba International Trade Fair, themed “Aba Beyond Borders: Driving Innovation, Trade and Industrial Growth.”

He said that the fair, scheduled for later in the year, would feature simultaneous exhibition and conference sessions to maximise business opportunities.

Kanu  said that the Ministry of Works carried out direct labour road maintenance at 46 locations during the review period.

He said that three projects had been completed, including the maintenance of the 5.2-kilometre Nkwoagu Junction-Nkwo Mbala Road in Umunneochi LGA,  the 4.71Km Akara Junction-Ovim Bridge Road in Isuikwuato LGA , and the construction of the 220-metre Mazi Okoro Avenue in Arochukwu LGA.

Kanu said that two additional projects had been added to the ministry’s direct labour programme.

He said that they include rainy-season maintenance of the 52-kilometre Opopo Junction-Azumini-Obehie federal road linking the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and rehabilitation of the 250-metre access road to the Obingwa LGA Headquarters.

Kanu said that the state government intervened on the federal road because of its importance to residents, noting that the administration did not discriminate between federal and state roads where public interest was involved.

The commissioner added that 26 road projects were currently under contract across the state, although heavy rainfall had slowed construction activities.