Ikpeazu paves way for reactivation of old Aba factory

Indications emerged, yesterday, that one of the oldest privately owned soap/ detergent producing factories in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, known as International Equitable Association (IEA), would resume production soon.

It was gathered that the factory, which was established in 1954, had suspended production since 2009 due to rift between its host community, Umuokeyibe Umungasi, Aba, and the management.

The supposed resumption of company’s operations is the result of intervention of the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who brokered peace, yesterday, between the community and IEA management, led by the Managing Director, Mr. Olusola Ajayi.

The reconciliation meeting, which was held at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba, has paved way for the resumption of production activities in the company.

According to the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Kalu, the governor applauded the host community “for their foresight in donating their land in 1952 for the establishment of the factory, as well as peace negotiations, which started in 2018 and led to the agreement to settle all lingering issues.”

The commissioner said the governor directed the management of IEA to ensure it abides by the terms of settlement, including ensuring that youths of the community get gainfully employed at management and other levels within the organisation.

He added that the governor expressed satisfaction with the development, saying: “We are happy that our efforts to reinvigorate this company is yielding positive results and I am optimistic that production activities will soon start again at the factory, which is one of the landmark organisations that made Aba an industrial hub.”

According to Kalu, while reacting to the development, the MD of IEA expressed appreciation to the governor for midwifing the settlement process, and assured that the company is ready to resume production as soon as preliminary works are completed.

Spokesman of the community, who was former works commissioner of the state, Enyinnaya Ubani, and the Chairman of the Community, Mr. Chris Ubani, commended the governor’s industrialisation and other developmental strides in the state and assured him they would abide by the agreement they signed with the IEA management.