David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has disclosed that his target is to industrialise the state by getting indigenes in the diaspora to bring back at least 10 per cent of their investment to the state.
Obiano said this during the unveiling of the Anambra International Ultra-modern Market in Ishiagu, Awka South Local Government Area.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, said the governor’s target was to industrialise the state, adding that this was stated early in his administration, where he said his mission was to make Anambra the first choice investment destination in the country.
“When the governor came aboard seven years ago he had a clear vision of making Anambra socially stable and the hub of industrial development.
“It is the private sector that drives the state and the private sector can only thrive through a focused public sector administration.
“Both (private and public sector) have been working well here, and the number of investment attracted here is a testimony.
“We are happy that JC Micheals Limited, the financiers of the market project are here to invest. We are working to ensure that our people with huge investment in other parts of the country will accept to relocate just 10percent of their investment home, so we can industrialise our state.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Uchenna Okafor said the establishment of the Anambra International Ultra-modern Market, would give businessmen from the state, who are doing business in other states the opportunity to relocate part of their investments.
“When I was appointed Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, I went round to know what we needed to do to make trade and commerce work in the state.
“I went to markets in Lagos, Kano, China, Dubai and several other places to know what we can adopt, and found out our strength lies outside. Most of the businesses in the places I mentioned are owned by our people.
What we are targeting is that if we can speak to well-meaning Anambra son to bring back 10 percent of their investment home, we can industrialise the state.
“In China, I noticed we had great potential across the globe. That is why even today, you see a school in China teaching students Igbo Language, just so they will be able to connect with us, because they want to understudy who the Igbos are because of their strength in business. The Chinese didn’t believe the Igbo are from Nigeria but spread across everywhere in the world.
“We’re working to get our people in diaspora to bring back their investment, but the challenge as they told me is that they are not sure of power. Our governor, Obiano has moved to solve that problem. He has two partnerships on IPP (Independent Power Project), and six sub station in the state today now.”
