Anambra, new investor plan $150m automobile plant

THE Anambra State Government in partnership with Richbon Group is to establish $150 million automobile assembly plant, specifically for bulldozers and other forms of 'earthmovers.'

Speaking during the stakeholders meeting in Awka yesterday, the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Stella Onuora, disclosed that the project site is located at Ozubulu-Eziora boundary in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the State.

Onuora appreciated members of the community for their keenness in providing land for development, stressing that the project would be of immense benefit to youths.
She also disclosed that the state government did not collect money for the project, but encouraged partnering investors through its equity contribution in the form of the free Certificate of Occupancy granted in respect of the land and creation of access road to the project site.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Chief Joe-Billy Ekwunife, said the team, as directed by Governor Willie Obiano, had visited the community to urge youths to cooperate with the investors to commence work. Ekwunife stressed that the community would get five per cent of the investment cost, in addition to 35 per cent of the proposed 70 per cent direct and indirect job opportunities that will be created from the project.

In a remark, the Ekwusigo Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Jude Mbaegbu, expressed gladness that the project was being actualised under the purposeful leadership of governor Obiano. He added that the project had long-term benefits for infrastructure and job for youths.

Traditional ruler of Ozubulu, Igwe Oruche, said his community had always been desirous of providing land for infrastructural and human capital development, but lamented that failure of past administrations to actualise such projects had made youths suffer joblessness.

Orunche expressed the optimism that the state government's commitment to security and the proactive disposition of ANSIPPA would go a long way in bringing immediate positive result and jobs for youths. He pledged support and cooperation of members of his community for the new investors.

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