AFRICA'S YOUNGEST BILLIONAIRE SETS UP FACTORY IN EGI COMMUNITY

Africa's youngest billionaire and President/Founder of Mara group, Mr. Ashishi J. Thakkar has concluded plans to set up a Float Glass Factory in Egi community, Obite in ONELGA Rivers State, and is seeking the support of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA to help mobilize its technical and social engines towards ensuring that the project succeeds.

Thakkar made this call when the president of Egi Peoples' Assembly, Chief Oris Onyiri led a delegation of three key bustling Arab business corporation, Mara group, JS group and Ghani group to the chamber for advocacy.

Speaking through three different spokespersons, the three groups said the project is the beginning of investment in the state. They gave assurances that every project embarked upon in the state shall be modeled to benefit the host communities. The group disclosed that a mentorship programme has already started for Egi young entrepreneurs and this they say is capable of building sustainable capacities. They however expressed regret that Nigeria has abundance of raw materials but wondered why finished products are always imported. “We have intention of sourcing for raw materials in Nigeria and using it to produce products which will be sold in Nigeria” they said, adding that the Egi project is unique and the objective is to guide it to succeed.

In his remark PHCCIMA president, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu said the chamber supports every single project in Egi community.

He assured the group that in PHCCIMA they have competent hands who are ready to support in providing the human capital and exposure needed to facilitate the float glass project or and any other they intend to embark upon.

The PHCCIMA helmsman noted that Rivers state is an investor's haven as the hub of oil and gas and the commercial nerve of the country maintaining that the availability of Power which will further be improved to 24 hours by next year, skilled manpower, enlightened people and a very good environment and education system for their children if they desire to come with their family are sure some of the plus that will make them succeed in the state.

“We have gluts of minerals like crude, limestone, clay and an enviable collection of agriculture products, observing that Nigeria is the biggest producer of cassava and if can be processed will turn a serious forex earner.

Unachukwu welcomed them and said PHCCIMA is willing to assist in anyway possible to make their stay and investment a memorable one.

The President of Egi Peoples' Assembly, EPA Chief Oris Onyiri expressed gratitude to the business delegation for choosing to invest in Egi. He further assured them that they are in the right place as the community has all the potentials and endowment to succeed. He explained that the chamber has a good relationship with Total through the instrumentality of EPA saying the tripartite relationship has continued to thrive over the years. He noted that Egi people have so many dreams and visions and the chamber has been a worthy partner in mentoring them to succeed. “Egi land is rich in oil and gas and other raw materials which have high comparative advantage” he said, even as he urged them to invest in clay another raw material found in abundance in the community. Chief Onyiri assured Arab business men that PHCCIMA will give them the needed leverage to access places they want and the support need to succeed being a very trusted and result oriented ally.