Anambra Has Attracted $2.5bn Investment Inflow In 19 Months—Gov Obiano

The Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano has said the troubling economic environment in Nigeria could not deter his administration from delivering on their development projects in 2015 in the state, which has attracted about $2.5bn in investment inflow within 19 months.

The Governor revealed this while delivering his New Year message to the people.

In the message, Governor Obiano highlighted the efforts his administration has made so far in the areas of economic and infrastructural development and improving security in the state.

He stated that despite the falling oil prices which has affected Nigerian economy, making many states to look for bailouts from federal government, his government has been able to not only pay salaries of workers regularly but also “were courageous enough to increase salaries in the midst of economic adversity” he said.

This according to him was made possible through proactive steps taken when signs of economic crisis in Nigeria was looming, aimed at diversifying economy of the state like attracting foreign investments in the state.

“My administration has made giant strides in the drive for investment. With an estimated $2.5bn attracted in 19 months, Anambra ranks next to Lagos and Ogun states in investment inflow.

“The influx of foreign investors began early in January 2015 with the arrival of a 28-man Trade delegation from Thailand.

“unmoved by the bleak domestic economy, we continued to push for more investments, leading to the Irish Trade Mission and finally the arrival of the UK Trade Mission in November 2015.”

The Governor further stated that they made a lot of progress in the agricultural revolution drive of the state in 2015. “Not only did we witness the first rice harvest from mechanized farming, we also increased our rice from 80,000 metric tonnes to 190,000 metric tonnes”

“I am optimistic that by the next harvest season, we would have surpassed our local consumption of 320, 000 metric tonnes and commenced the process of exporting Anambra Rice to places where they are on demand” he said.

On security, the Governor said they have donated cars to the Nigerian police command in the state for intra-city security patrols and also gun boat to the Nigerian Navy in Onitsha; and aerial surveillance of the state with helicopter, all aimed at crime detection and prevention.

The governor promised that his administration will in this New Year; pursue new projects aimed at stimulating growth of domestic production in the “real sector through strategic collaboration with select MSMEs.”

He equally called on all great minds in Anambra to key into his administration’s development efforts in order to lift the state to a greater height.