Columnist Chido Nwakanma analyses significant policies and projects that signal what he sees as an awakening by the Southeast governors
The sun is set to rise at dawn again in South-East Nigeria, reversing the recent trajectory of setting at noon. Current activities and actions of the region’s leaders, mainly governors, spark this elixir of hope. It holds great promise.
I watched excitedly the live telecast of the maiden Anambra State Investment Summit convened by its governor, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo. The event occurred at the Anambra International Conference Centre built by immediate past governor Chief Willie Obiano. It represented a positive need for the possibilities of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (MICE) sector in the state and continuity in government. Soludo declared that the state would rename AICC after Willie Obiano. How nice and befitting!
The concrete plans of Abia State and the developments in Anambra, Enugu and Imo speak to a new era of focused development initiatives from the government houses in the South-East. Please join me in praying they keep the course and deliver on their promises. We shall soon welcome the sunrise.
Chido Nwakanma
Significantly, the Anambra Investment Summit yielded 13 Memorandum Of Understanding agreements with local and international organisations. They included an omnibus financing scheme with the Cairo-based African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim Bank) to provide funding on good terms for the many projects about to take off in the state. Afreximbank offers project preparation, advisory services, and a debt financing programme of up to US $200M. It will also establish bankability for critical projects such as the Ikenga Mixed-Use Industrial City, the Anambra Export Emporium, and the Akwaihedi Unubi Uga Automotive Industrial Park, Businessday reported.
Afrexim Banks MD Dr Benedict Oramah, represented by a soft-spoken but powerful Executive Director, Mrs Kanayo Awani, declared the bank’s commitment to Anambra State, Nigeria and Africa’s industrialisation and economic development.
“Just as we have championed the transformative potential of industrial parks and special economic zones across Africa through public and private sector collaboration, committing over US $1.5billion so far to the realisation of these projects, Afreximbank is ready to support Anambra State, as it is doing in Ogun and Abia States (Enyimba Industrial City) to promote similar projects.”
He added: “With peace and security gradually returning to the State, with our youth beginning to realise that their future cannot thrive in an environment of widespread insecurity, we can look forward to a similar US $400m industrial park project in collaboration with the state. It makes business sense to do so, and we have advanced discussions with Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA) to create over 10,000 jobs while bringing export-oriented businesses to Anambra State.”
There are many sectoral interventions under the MOUs Anambra State signed with investors.
- Universal Elysium Ltd will develop the Onitsha River Port.
- Birsa Water Ltd and Neni Development Union will build the Neni Water Scheme.
- OMAA Global Engineering and Tech will work on the AUU Automotive Industrial Park
- Nko Farms Ltd will develop the Nko Agro Park
- GVE Projects Limited will handle the Green Village Electrification
- Sundry Markets Ltd to develop the Awka Shopping Mall
- CPCs Transcommunication Ltd to develop the masterplan for Anambra Intra-City Rail connecting Awka, Ekwulobia, Nnewi and Onitsha
- Mahendra Consulting Engineering Ltd for the Ikenga Mixed-Use Industrial City.
- Nimet Pharmaceuticals, Dozzy Group, Green Life Pharmaceuticals, and Nigeria’s Association of Industrial Pharmacists will develop the Anambra Pharmaceutical Hub at Ogboji.
Governor Soludo signed MOUs with seven estate developers, including Awka Millennium City, to develop the New Awka. The state is also working with the UNDP on development projects.
The uplifting news from Awka followed on the heels of Enugu State, which hosted its inaugural `Enugu State Investment. And Economic Growth Stakeholder Roundtable a week earlier. According to Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia, the Roundtable is “the first in a series of business and investment roundtables in preparation for the first fully transactional Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Summit, which will take place in April 2024.”
Enugu delivered results. It developed and signed its Energy Policy, an electricity bill to set up the Enugu Electricity Market. The bill will enable Enugu State to attract investments to grow its electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within the State. Patrick Okigbo 111 and his Nextier Advisory consulted for the Enugu State Government on the project based on the Nigerian `Electricity Act 2023 that empowered the federating units to develop local energy capacity and regulations.
Governor Peter Mbah played up the state’s “wide array of investment opportunities” as he welcomed participants and prospective investors. He declared: “Our vision is to make Enugu one of the top three revenue-generating states in Nigeria, to attain a 0% poverty headcount rate, and to ensure peace and security in the sprint to grow Enugu to a $30 billion GDP economy in the next eight years. This vision emphasises inclusive economic growth and sector competitiveness, sustainable economic, social, and environmental resilience for all citizens, and restoring peace and security for people, property, and critical economic and social processes.”
Mbah has walked his talk so far. An EnuguMetro investigation confirmed the state is on track with the pledge to deliver water to Enugu in less than 80 days.
Mbah affirmed: “When I took office, I promised the people of Enugu that water would be available in all Enugu metropolis homes within the next 180 days. Just over 90 days after that promise, we are producing more than 25 million litres of water daily for the first time in the last 20 years, and we are poised to produce 70 million litres daily by next month. In this light, I would like to reiterate my promise: water shall flow from every tap in the Enugu metropolis before the end of November this year.”
In Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma launched a strategic healthcare project, the Oguta General Hospital and other infrastructure projects.
Abia recorded many small wins in the first 100 days of Governor Alex Otti. I challenged Chief Press Secretary Kazie Uko after reading his eulogy.
“Dear Kazie. Keep doing your job well. I have a question. Our Governor Alex Otti promised A Bold Vision for Aba. Where is Otti’s Vision For Aba? I read from you here that he has cleared refuse and began mending some roads in Aba in the first 100 days. Is that the Vision for Aba?
“Another. Where is Julius Berger Plc that he promised and showcased as the ones to work on Port Harcourt Road, Aba?
I have restrained from a review of The First Hundred Days.
I look at Enugu and see a policy document and plan for the Enugu Electricity Market, efforts to attract investors through a summit, and revival of water supply to the capital.
We await the Alex Otti Promise.”
Mr. Uko’s response was civil and hope-raising.
He stated: “Good morning, bros, and thanks for your intervention. The policy on Aba is awaiting the House’s approval, and that is the Aba Rejuvenation Authority, the agency that will drive the process. That will be done as soon as the House returns from their recess. Julius Berger is coming in this month. Final touches have been done on the design for Port Harcourt Road. The initial hiccup was around the drainage system and award of contracts, which preceded the new government. I can assure you that there is a comprehensive plan to develop Abia.”
The concrete plans of Abia State and the developments in Anambra, Enugu and Imo speak to a new era of focused development initiatives from the government houses in the South-East. Please join me in praying they keep the course and deliver on their promises. We shall soon welcome the sunrise.
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