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By Vincent Kalu
The Chairman and Coordinator of the Aba Medicine Dealers Stakeholders Association, Mr. Elvis Anoruo, has shared insights on the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) project in Aba and its implications for medicine dealers in the city and beyond.
In this interview, he discusses the project’s benefits, challenges, and potential impact on the pharmaceutical industry in Abia State.
How do you perceive the Abia State Government’s decision to allocate about 30.1 hectares of land (700 plots) for the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) project?
We welcome the government’s decision to allocate 30.1 hectares of land for the CWC project. This initiative demonstrates a commitment to improving medicine distribution and access to healthcare services in Aba. We believe this project will have a positive impact on our business operations and the local community. Aba is a strategic hub for medicine supplies in the South East and South South states – Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa. We also serve neighbouring countries, such as Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome. The government’s decisions to allocate land for the CWC project will further enhance our position as a key player in the region’s pharmaceutical industry.
We, the Aba Medicine Dealers’ Association have expressed our heartfelt gratitude to Governor Alex Otti, for providing the land for the CWC project. This land, which accommodates our various markets, including, Ariaria Zone A, Ariaria Zone C, Ekumi Plaza, Henken Plaza, NAPMED, Ngwa Road, and the Eziukwu Road proprietary medicine dealers with over 4000 traders, will revolutionise our business operations and improve access to healthcare services in the region.
We express our profound gratitude to the state governor for providing this land. We plan to pay a courtesy visit to the governor to demonstrate our appreciation for his transformative agenda, which recognises the plight of the masses and aims to improve the lives of Abians.
What are the potential benefits and challenges of this land allocation for medicine dealers in Aba?
The potential benefits include improved infrastructure, increased efficiency, and better access to healthcare services. However, we anticipate challenges such as relocation, infrastructure development, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. We are working with the developers and government agencies to address these challenges. The CWC project will bring numerous benefits to medicine dealers and the local community. One of the significant advantages is that it will ease NAFDAC’s incessant visitation and locking of our shops. With a centralised and modern facility, we will be able to operate in a more regulated and compliant environment, reducing the risk of disruptions to our business. This will ultimately improve our operations, increase efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.
How does the association plan to utilise the land to improve medicine distribution and access to healthcare services?
We plan to utilise the land to establish a modern and efficient medicine distribution hub. This will enable us to improve our business operations, reduce costs, and increase access to quality medicines for the local community.
We are united in our support for the government’s provision of land for the CWC project. We recognise that markets belong to the government, and we appreciate the collaborative effort between the federal and state governments in this initiative. The inclusion of relevant government agencies, such as National Agency for Food, Drugs and Administrative Control (NAFDAC), Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC , as well as banks, will enhance the project’s success. We are encouraged by the progress of CWC projects in other states, like Kano, Anambra, and Lagos, where state governments have actively participated. We are pleased that Abia State Government has invited us to be part of this journey and has unveiled KCHAqua Consortium as the developer.
Can you describe the nature of discussions between the association and KCHAqua Consortium, the developers of the CWC project?
Our discussions with KCHAqua Consortium have been productive and collaborative. We are working together to ensure that the project meets the needs of medicine dealers and the local community. We are optimistic about the potential benefits of this partnership.
What assurances have the developers provided regarding the involvement of medicine dealers in the project’s planning and implementation phases?
The developers have assured us that they will involve medicine dealers in the project’s planning and implementation phases. We are confident that our concerns and needs will be taken into consideration to ensure the project’s success.
How do you envision the CWC project impacting the business operations and livelihoods of medicine dealers in Aba?
We expect the CWC project to significantly improve our business operations and livelihoods. The modern infrastructure and efficient systems will enable us to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.
What specific benefits do you anticipate the CWC project will bring to medicine dealers and the local community?
We anticipate that the CWC project will bring numerous benefits, including improved access to quality medicines, increased efficiency, and better customer service. The project will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the local community.
What potential challenges do you foresee, and how does the association plan to mitigate them?
We foresee potential challenges such as relocation and infrastructure development. To mitigate these challenges, we are working with the developers and government agencies to ensure a smooth transition and to address any concerns that may arise.
How will the association collaborate with government agencies, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s success?
We will collaborate closely with government agencies, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure the project’s success. We believe that effective communication and partnership is the key to achieving our goals and objectives.
How will the association ensure that medicine dealers operating within the CWC project comply with regulatory requirements and standards?
We will work closely with regulatory agencies to ensure that medicine dealers operating within the CWC project comply with all relevant requirements and standards. We are committed to maintaining high standards of quality and safety in our business operations.
