The Managing Director of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Mr Philippe Scholtes, has commended the Delta State government for establishing the biggest leather and foot wear factory in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mr Scholtes made the commendation when he led UNIDO team on appraisal visit to the leather works/shoe factory at the state Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Centre at Issele-Uku recently. According to him, UNIDO is not only proud of the level of commitment of the initiator of the facility to training and production but is also encouraged by the expansion of the centre.

Mr. Scholtes noted the tremendous progress made by the artisans in their designs and quality of their products and ability to find market.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA). Mrs Shimite Bello, assured that with time, the centre would be replicated in each of the local government areas of the state. According to her, “the immediate past administration in the state established the factory having sent 15 artisans to Italy. They are now trainers at the centre. The idea behind the initiative is to manufacture leather products that will be the same or of better quality than the,” made in Italy label’. Earlier, the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, had assured UNIDO of partnership in the area of entrepreneurship and skill acquisition in line with his administration’s job and wealth creation programme. Governor Okowa gave the assurance when he played host to Mr. Scholtes and his team in his office in Asaba. He added that the state government was ready to also partner with UNIDO in the area of agro-business, especially aqua-culture, palm and cassava production and processing.