Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Chief Oguzorkanu Offia- Nwali, has urged prospective investors to invest in the state, saying Ebonyi has serene business environment that has been luring investors into the state.
He made the call on Thursday, April 11, at the ongoing 35th Enugu International Trade Fair during the Ebonyi State special day at the Fair.
Speaking at the Fair organised by the
Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture( ECCIMA) Offia-Nwali said ,”the business environment in the state is so serene that investors troope into the state to discuss establishment of multinational industries in various economic sectors”. .
Pix- Group picture of Ebonyi and ECCIMA team. ECCIMA President, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo in white(middle) flanked by Ebonyi Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Chief Oguzorkanu Offia- Nwali, in red( R) and Dr Emma Nwankpakpa, ECCIMA VP, Publicity and Communications (L),others
The Commissioner who highlighted some of the achievements of the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru- led administration, said the state government had made an impact in trade, investment, human capital development, health water and sanitation, energy and others through public reforms .
He noted that a conducive environment has been created for businesses and Ebonyi State building material market is undergoing total revitalization .The Commissioner added that the industrial clusters for production of cassava and it’s value chains were being resuscitated for full operation and animal husbandry is another of the Governor’s priority towards food sustainability in the state and for export.
According to him, 13 General hospitals are fully functional and fully equipped with state of the arts hospital equipment , procured with over N11 Billion. He said the Doctors were well paid and Specialist Doctors were given new SUVs to facilitate their movements to work.
Pix- Offia- Nwali in an interview
Offia- Nwali added that N1.1 Billion was budgeted for the upgrade of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation .The Ebonyi pipe industry that stopped production for over 10 years was revitalized., Workers salaries were increased and 1,500 youths were employed in the state’s Civil service.
His words,” the workforce is not left out. Ebonyi State received the award of workers’ welfare friendliness. While others are giving 13Th month during Christmas, the Governor of Ebonyi gave 3 times of workers’ monthly salaries as 13th month.
On pensioners, he said arrears of gratuities and death benefits from 2009-2022 had been paid fully
Pix- Ebonyi dancers displaying at the event
On education, the Commissioner said some Post graduate students( Masters and Ph.D Accounting and Aeronautic Engineering ) respectively, were offered scholarship to study abroad, while Law students were sponsored to law school in Nigeria . He added that over 1,000 students were also awarded scholarship to pursue Masters programs in Nigeria.. The Commissioner said some non- indigenes residing in the state were also awarded scholarship.
He described the Theme of the 35Th Trade Fair ,” Promoting made in Nigeria Products for global competitiveness” as apt. . The Commissioner noted that there are immense benefits in supporting and embracing locally made goods, saying ,” and Ebonyi came to the 35th International Trade Fair well prepared with a lot of locally produced goods, eg, Ebonyi pipe, Ebonyi rice, palm oil, Cassava, fertilizer, ” among others ”
Pix- Exhibitors at Ebonyi stand
Pix-Commissioner Offia- Nwali
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo,
called on investors, both local and foreign to prospect Ebonyi State for business He said it was imperative because Ebonyi is blessed with “many solid minerals and arable land for Agriculture and Agro-Allied industries.
Pix- Some products at Ebonyi stand
The ECCIMA President pointed out that since the inception of Ebonyi State, she has produced committed and visionary leaders who have elevated the bar of leadership of the state to a higher level and for this reason, investors should help to advance Ebonyi further.
“We doff our heart for this great state of Ebonyi and we are calling on investors both foreign and local to prospect Ebonyi State for investment. There is no doubt that the state is blessed with many solid minerals and arable land for Agriculture and Agro-Allied industries,” he said.
Pix- Visit at Ebonyi stand
Jideonwo said Ebonyi State remains a critical and. Key stakeholders in the hosting and sustainability of the Enugu International trade fair. He noted that the absence of Ebonyi State at the fair in the past four years was greatly felt.
“We once again look forward to the consistent participation of Ebonyi State in the Enugu International Trade Fair. This remains a source of inspiration and part of our success story in the hosting of the fair”, he said..
Highlights of the event were culture dance display and exhibition of locally made products at Ebonyi stand.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama