Ugwuanyi to reposition Enugu to international business hub

Enugu state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has vowed to use all resources available within his reach to drive foreign investment and economic diversification roadmap of Enugu state.

This he said would reposition Enugu from a civil service state to an international business hub in the country.

The governor who stated this during the ground breaking of Enugu ‘Enpower Free Trade zone,’ appealed to the federal government to extend and resurface the existing runway and build facilities that would improve night operations, accommodate heavier aircraft that are used for international and intercontinental travels to internationally accepted standard.

“The establishment of this Free Trade Zone has created an urgent need for the construction of a second runway at the airport in order to accommodate the expected increase in air traffic. We therefore invite the federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to present to us, a plan for this project and we affirm the availability of the land required for its actualization,” the governor said.
The ‘Enpower Free Trade Zone’ consists of two zone areas, which includes the Ninth Mile Industrial park, Free trade zone with an initial 400 hectares, with a capable extension of 3000 hectares to be developed.

The next zone is the Akanu Ibiam International Airport designated for the development of a world-class infrastructure; offices, aircraft hangers, warehouse storage and stacking areas for free trade zone operations. The Enpower Free Trade Zone he said would take the advantage of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport as well as it’s closeness to commercial cities in the south east such as Nnewi, Aba, Onitsha, Owerri and Abakaliki to thrive.

According to the governor the Enpower Free Trade Zone Enugu, was a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Enugu State Government and was licensed by the Federal Government in December 2015.

“The zone is the only free trade zone in the South East region that offers international and  domestic investors an easy link to businesses from the south eastern cluster which has been acclaimed as the second largest economic cluster in Nigeria after the Lagos cluster.”

Besides resurfacing the existing runway and building of facilities at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Ugwuanyi requested for an upgrade of facilities at the Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri and urgent intervention of the federal government in the rehabilitation of all federal roads in the south east. Development of Inland ports and jetties to enhance maritime activities in the region, revival of railway network linking the South East states and the opening of new lines to other parts of the country as a compliment to the Free Trade zone.

Earlier, Hana Klucarova, the deputy Head of Mission at the Czech Republic Embassy in Nigeria, expressed her country’s readiness to partner with Enugu State government to make the free trade zone a success.

Also Emeka Eneh, managing director and chief executive officer of Enpower Enugu State Free Trade Zone, said the project would stimulate trade and investment beyond oil when operational and it would provide massive opportunities for employment. He explained that of the 35 operational free trade zones in the country, Enpower Enugu Free Trade Zone is the first free trade zone to be established in the South East zone and that its location would beneficial to the people of the zone and beyond.

 

Regis Anukwuoji