The neighbouring towns of Uga in Aguata Local Government Area and Akwa-Ihedi in Nnewi South Local Government Area, both in Anambra State, are the sole beneficiaries of over N90 million released by the state government as a compensation for a piece of land designated for the construction of a proposed Industrial Park.

Announcing this in Awka on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Ifeatu Onejeme, explained that the compensation was essentially for communities whose lands have been acquired for the Industrial Park project which is proposed for an expansive spread covering 171 hectares of land.

Hon. Onejeme advised the traditional rulers of the concerned communities nestling between Uga and Akwa-Ihedi towns to reach out to the Ministry of Land, headed by Hon Stella Onuorah to finalise arrangements on the payment of the planned compensation.

Offering insights into the arrangement, Hon Onejeme explained that the proposed Industrial Park was in sync with the overall economic blueprint of the state government which is anchored on Agriculture, Trade and Commerce, Industrialisation and Oil and Gas.

“The proposed Industrial Park falls within the ambit of Industrialization which is a major pillar in Governor Obiano’s economic blueprint for the state. The Obiano administration is determined to turn Anambra into a centre of industrial excellence,” Hon Onejeme explained.

According to him, the administration had also perfected plans to provide captive power to industrial clusters to ensure a stable industrial base for the state. He revealed that with the commencement of construction work at the $150m UDIPPCO gas-powered plant at Umerum that would generate 80 mega-wats of electricity, the hope of providing captive power for industries was a realistic one.

“There is also the proposed 100 mega-wats gas-powered electricity plant that is being planned by Falcon Corporation Limited. When these two power plants are fully operational and that is not far from now, Anambra will become the industrial powerhouse that it was meant to be,” he further revealed.

News Express recalls that since he assumed office on March 17, 2014, Governor Willie Obiano has demonstrated his resolve to make Anambra the epicentre of manufacturing and industrial activities east of the Niger.

Accordingly, the administration hopes to make Anambra one of the top-three industrial states in the country after Lagos and Ogun states. It seeks to realise this vision in four key ways – creation of modern industrial parks and small-to-medium enterprise clusters, improved drive for investments, better access to financing and capacity building.

Meanwhile, the Obiano administration has so far attracted investments estimated at $3bn out of which the industrial sector alone pooled the sum of $140m.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

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