Jonathan vows to support Anambra industrialists
President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed to do everything possible to ensure that Nigerian industrialists are supported, especially the entrepreneurs from Anambra state.
He gave the assurance when he ad had audience to a delegation of business community from Anambra State led by the state governor, Peter Obi.
“If any country will be great, we must industrialise. If Nigeria must be a great country, we must industrialise. To this end, we will continue to encourage industrialists in Anambra”.
President Jonathan said that his government was also devoting attention and resources to the power sector because of its critical role in industrialisation.
He said that with the measures put in place by his administration, especially the new National Automotive Industry Policy, he believes that the country would soon be exporting cars to other countries.
He said, “I will refer all the issues you raised to the various departments of government.
“We are totally committed to creating jobs. Nigeria is a country with huge population of youths. If jobs are not created, there will be crisis. The housing, agriculture and power sectors are also receiving attention.
“In the next few years, Nigeria will begin to export cars to other countries. We are encouraging government to support local manufacturers.”
Jonathan promised that industrialists’ basic needs such as road, power and port would be addressed appropriately.
On his part, Vice President Namadi Sambo told the delegation that Jonathan had recently approved $3.7 billion to improve power transmission across the country.
Earlier in his address, Obi told the President that the enterprising and preserving nature of Anambra people make them well-positioned to assist the President in the achievement of his administration’s transformation agenda.
“You have excess credit in your political account that these people (members of the delegation) are ready to pay you when you need it,” he said.
He said he led the delegation to express their support for the President and bring to his attention some of their collective needs which if addressed will help in anchoring the growth and development of industry in the state.
Some of the needs, according to the governor, are the completion of the 330/132/33KV power substation at Nnewi, provision of uninterrupted power supply in the Onitsha Harbour Industrial Area and Ozubulu Industrial Hub, completion of Nnamdi Azikwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and the inclusion of Anambra State in the rail master plan.
He also made a case for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of federal roads within the state such as Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Section 1, Nnewi-Okija, start of Onitsha Second Niger Bridge, completion of the Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway and completion of Umueze-Anam Kogi Roads.
The Governor also thanked the President for the inclusion of Nnewi in the National Automotive Industry Policy of the Federal Government.
This, he said, would attract many ancillary industries especially with the coming on stream of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, saying the local content in vehicle manufacturing in no time will increase from 40 per cent to 60 per cent.