Gov. Obi Leads Industrial Delegates To Prez Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR said that the industrial sector was very critical in the growth and development of the country and assured that his government would continue to accord the sector all necessary support.

He said this yesterday when he received group of industrialists from Anambra State led by Governor Peter Obi at the Aso Rock Villa.

The President, who described Anambra State as the industrial giant of Nigeria, said that the zone needed all encouragement to launch Nigeria into the global industrial map. He thanked Governor Obi for his efforts towards the resuscitation of the industrial sector and in attracting industries to the State.

In a speech read by the leader of the delegation, Gov. Peter Obi, he thanked the President for what he called his demonstrable interest in the overall welfare of Anambra State and the industrial sectors. He recalled that the President, as a mark of encouragement for people to set up industries, had personally commissioned many industries in the State. He assured him of the continued support of the people of the State, especially the industrialists.

The Governor, who thanked Mr. President for including the Nnewi in the National Automotive Industry Policy as well as the approval for the rehabilitation and boosting of the Onitsha-New Haven 330 kv transmission line to boost power supply across Onitsha-Enugu-Abakiliki-Markudi axis, called for more efforts by the Federal Government to further assist the Zone by the completion of the Power substation at Nnewi, Onitsha and Ozubulu industrial axis.

The Governor further requested the completion of the Permanent Site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, the inclusion of Anambra State in the Rail and Gas master plans and the establishment of Organised Industrial Zones (OIZ) and Free Trade Zone in the State to give fillip to the people's business endeavours. He also called for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of federal roads in the State, including the commencement of the 2nd Niger Bridge without further delay.

In his own remarks, the Vice president, Arc. Namadi Sambo commended the industrial spirit of the people of Anambra State and assure that the federal Government was already doing everything possible to address the issues they raised.

The Ministers that were at the courtesy call took turns to speak on what their various Ministries are doing in the South East. While the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo said that his Ministry was working on scooping all Industrial clusters in the country to ensure full power. He talked about the current efforts to come up with a legal frame work for the development of coal-fired plants across the East. Concluding, he commended the efforts of Gov. Peter Obi, whom he said was working with his Ministries over the strategic needs of the State.

The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar who recalled how Gov. Obi and the Governor of Kogi State visited him over inclusion of both States in the Rail Master Plan, said that his memo on that had been approved by the President. He assured that efforts were on to get the Onitsha Seaport fully functional.

The Health Minister, Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu who agreed on the critical need for the completion of the Permanent Site of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, assured that efforts were being made along that direction, including the construction of the access roads to the place.

Others that were part of the vist are: A. A Okaor, Chris Azubogu, Dr. Alex Chika Okafor, Alex Chika Okafor, innocent Chukwuma, Osita Okonkwor, Humphery Ngonnadi, John Nwosu, Emeka Nzewi, Fabian Nworah, Chika Emenike, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Franklin Anazodo, Emma Eziokwu, Chris Oraonu, Eric Okoye, Obi Udeogu, Ukeje Ejison, Paul Okonkwor, and Tim Anosike.