Abia PDP candidate promises microfinance bank, industries

The 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has promised to establish a microfinance bank for traders, artisans and entrepreneurs if elected governor.

Anosike made the promise during a consultation with members of the Old Bende Progressive Union on Clifford Road, Aba, where he outlined some of his proposed economic welfare programmes.

According to the candidate, the proposed bank, which would be headquartered in Aba, would provide collateral-free and interest-free revolving loans to traders, artisans and entrepreneurs.

He said the initiative was part of his proposed economic welfare policy for Abia State, adding that pressure groups, trade unions and community associations would register as cooperative societies to access the facility.

Anosike said, “I have come to make life better for Abians because people are suffering. Part of how we will do it is that we will establish what we call Traders Micro-finance Bank, with headquarters in Aba. It will be collateral-free and interest-free.”

The PDP candidate also promised to establish three industries every year to create employment opportunities for youths in the state.

He criticised the incumbent administration over what he described as inadequate industrial development, adding that his administration would focus on creating jobs rather than relying mainly on empowerment programmes.

“If Kelechi Anosike emerges, we will build industries and create job opportunities for the youths,” he said.

Anosike further promised to establish the Abia Labour Global Opportunities Agency, which he said would connect young people in the state with employment opportunities abroad, particularly remote and virtual jobs.

He said, “Most jobs are virtual now, and they will work with the internet.”

On agriculture, the candidate proposed what he called Operation Feed Abia, a back-to-farm programme aimed at increasing food production and reducing the cost of living.

He said his administration would promote massive agricultural production to ensure food availability across the state.

Anosike also promised to introduce a health insurance scheme that would subsidise healthcare costs by 60 per cent for registered beneficiaries.

He said his administration would also invest in infrastructure while prioritising the welfare of residents.

While acknowledging the incumbent administration’s efforts on road construction, Anosike argued that the projects were not commensurate with the revenue accruing to the state.

“We will build roads and build lives. We will perform better. Anosike g’eme karia (Anosike will do much more),” he said.

The candidate said Abia had sufficient resources to implement his proposed programmes, urging residents to support all PDP candidates in the 2027 elections.

Earlier, the President of the Old Bende Progressive Union, DIG Azubuko Udah, welcomed Anosike but said the organisation was apolitical and existed as a socio-cultural group.