WRITTEN BY KENECHUKWU OFOMAH
The State Government has handed over 80 hectares of land belonging to three communities in Nnewi South and Aguata Council Areas to the Federal Government for the development of an Automotive Industrial Park.
The parcel of land whose Certificate of Occupancy was handed over to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okey Enelama by Governor Willie Obiano were donated by Akwaihedi, Unubi and Uga communities..
The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, the Member representing Nnewi North and South Constituency in the National Assembly, Mr Chris Azubogu and Dr Aminu Jalal, Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council who will undertake the project.
Handing over the C of O for the land, Governor Obiano revealed that the only caveat to the agreement is that the Federal Government must develop the land within 18months, failure of which the land will automatically revert to the state.
This he noted, is due to the ugly experience the State has had with previous administrations at the Centre in giving them land which resulted in the release of half of the landsize required for the Park, adding that as soon as visible presence is shown on the site, the State may consider giving the Federal Government the remaining portion.
He expressed happiness at the Minister’s assurance that the project will be completed as expected and observed that the project will greatly impact his administration’s industrialization vision as many ancilliary cottage industries are expected to spring up in the locality with the completion of the Park.
The Industry, Trade and Investment Minister, Dr Enelama who maintained that Anambra holds the key to industrial revolution in the Country, observed that for it to be achieved, there is the need for the establishment of spečial economic zones and industrial parks in the State, hence the need for the project.
Dr Enelama explained that the Park will provide adequate infrastructure for entrepreneurs, industrialists and manufacturers to effectively boost their production and observed that with the level of cooperation which they are getting from Governor Obiano, the project will mark the beginning of greater partnerships with the State.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Lands, Chief Okey Muoka pointed out that aside ensuring the transfer of technology that will contribute to the expansion of the State’s Motor Spareparts Market, the Project will also generate employment, create wealth and impact skills on youths.
In his remarks, a stakeholder in the area and former Commissioner for Lands, Chief John Okoli-Akilika described the Park initiative as a welcome development for people of the area and commended Governor Obiano for his tact in brokering the pact for the project, noting that at the end reason and sanity has prevailed.
Handover of the Land documents as well as unveiling of a plaque to mark the official handover formed the highpoints event.
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