Nigeria – In his inaugural address in 2014, Governor Willie Obiano had declared that the time had come to remind ourselves that “a people who astonished the world with their ingenuity and resourcefulness in wartime can lend a hand to remake our world in peace-time.”
This statement has woken up the entrepreneurial spirit of the people and today, Obiano’s vision has been validated by the number of new businesses springing up across the state.
Governments all over the world are not often rated by how many factories they establish but how well they have enabled the private sector to establish factories. Governor Obiano has done well in this regard by creating an enabling environment for factories to thrive in Anambra State. One of his earliest steps on assumption of office was to hold a ‘Business Roundtable’ with entrepreneurs of Anambra extraction.
It was at that gathering that the Aku Luo Uno philosophy was birthed. Governor Obiano gave the entrepreneurs at the meeting two assurances; that he would clean up Anambra and make it safe for investors and that he would work hard to improve electricity supply in the state. Seven years down the lane, Obiano has kept his promises.
Governor Obiano was mindful when he declared that roads leading to industrial clusters and agricultural settlements would be given priority attention. The need to give a backbone to the industrial landscape eventually led to the establishment of Anambra Small Business Agency, ASBA. The agency has played a big midwifery role in the emergence of industrial clusters.
The Shoe Making Cluster at Nkwelle Ezunaka is the crown jewel of Obiano’s industrial drive. The cluster currently exports Made-in-Anambra shoes and other foot wears. The success of the Shoe Making Cluster has led to the setting up of a Clothing and Textile Cluster in the same location. The Agency has also been responsible for the sprouting of many Small and Medium Scale Industries in the state like the Anambra Rice and several other small businesses.
Indeed, since the creation of Anambra State, no governor has invested so much in electricity supply as Governor Willie Obiano. Obiano believes that without electricity, his Industrialization policy would be dead on arrival. In this regard, from Oji River in Enugu State, the administration ensured the installation of a 33kv line to supply power to Orumba North and South.
It benefitted 31 communities. This particular initiative was so transcendental that Isuochi Community in Abia State had to send a delegation to specially thank the governor for giving it a rare access to electricity.
Another 33kv line was extended to Anambra North Senatorial zone which benefitted many communities too. And yet another 33kv line was extended from Otuocha to Nkpunando community. It brought electricity to so many communities that had no access to power supply in their entire existence.
The administration has also installed another 33kv line from Awada through Idemili to Nnewi to improve power supply in 43 communities. This is a priority line because of the heavy industrial activities in the area it covers. Another 33kv line has also been installed from Ogborji in Orumba North to Peters University in Aguata.
As a further reinforcement, 400 transformers have been distributed to several communities in Anambra State to strengthen electricity supply in rural and urban areas.
Meanwhile, the administration has also signed an MOU with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to build 6 Transmitters in Anambra State, covering Nnewi, Onitsha, Aguleri, Umuchu and Ogidi/Ogbunike. When fully operational, these transmitters will change the electricity supply situation in Anambra State for good. These efforts are expected to give industrialists and would be manufacturers in Anambra State big elbowroom to operate from.
Indeed, Governor Obiano has remained a champion of ‘Made In Anambra’ goods and services. He ensured that the Government of Anambra State is one of the biggest patronizers of Innoson Vehicles, Coscharis Farms and several others.
This has served as a tonic to many prospective investors and entrepreneurs who now throng Anambra to take advantage of the emerging investment safe haven.
WRITTEN BY DANIEL OFONEME
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