The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has commissioned the first manufacturing steel industry in the South-East region.
The ceremony was performed at the company, located along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Council.
In his address, Governor Soludo hailed the team of partners who built the magnificent edifice, saying that it sends a message about the importance of partnership. He maintained that he came to celebrate three things which includes; the company, industry, and homeland consciousness.
Soludo emphasized that the company, which is the first steel facility in the south-east of Nigeria, will manufacture rods of all sizes, saying that steel is an important requirement for industrialization. He explained that his administration’s objective is to transit from a primarily informal commercial sector to one that is industrialized, a technology hub, and a source of leisure and entertainment.
The governor, who reiterated his goal of making the state an industrialized hub, said that Anambra is well renowned for its entrepreneurship and global network in terms of partnership.
He noted that the main goal of his administration is to transit the state from importation to exportation.
“As a government, we stand, ready to provide every assistance. We have signed an agreement with EEDC to provide the state with 24-hour electricity. We will put in every infrastructural facility to make it happen, now that it is on the concurrent list.
“Their only request is power, and we will assist them in generating power for efficiency and productivity. My primary responsibility as governor is to serve as the chief marketing officer for everything produced in Anambra.
“The best way to create jobs is to buy items made in the state. When you buy products made in the diaspora, you are creating jobs in other countries,” Governor Soludo explained.
ANN reports that Milton Steel Manufacturing Company is founded by the CEO of Milton Steel and member representing Oyi constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Innocent Ojike (Ojicam), who is also the company’s majority shareholder, among other partners.
Ojike in his speech revealed that his primary vision is to encourage ndi Anambra in the diaspora to come home to invest in the state. He further said by this way jobs will be created in the homeland which will help in closing the poverty gap, and raising people’s standard of living. He added that the newly commissioned company intends to hire about 200 people with the intention to hire more as the company progresses
Ojike while speaking with reporters after the event said as a bussiness man, it has always been his dream to set up an industry. I have associates from china and i decided to bring it back to the country.
” Am into international trade and importation of goods from china. Because of high cost of doller, i decided to establish local industry because it does not deal on forign exchange. I believe that with local industry, i will contribute in reducing unemployment. Our products is the best in the market. We produce standard sizes.
“Currently, we have about two hundred employees. The only issue we have is power supply. If we have constant power supply, we will be able to employ two thousand persons.
“The reason i contested for the house of assembly is to give back to the society because i so much believe in humanity”.
Former commissioner for trade and commerce Anambra state, Hon. Charles Uche Okafor in an interview with reporters said ndi Awkuzu has been supportive in the success of the project and that the project will add value to ndi Anambra.
