Mbah restores hope of reinventing Oji River
By MAURICE OKAFOR.
Beyond politics, the present administration in Enugu state led by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has embarked on projects that will enhance the massive socio-infrastructural development of Enugu state and facilitate his dream of raising the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from four billion dollars to 30 billion dollars in the next eight years.
Governor Mbah’s vision is to re-design the economy of the state to be viable. self-reliant and self-sustaining as such to rebrand the state from its so-called ‘Civil Servant ‘status to a vibrant business-oriented economy through private sector investments both national and international.
His administration’s initiative and blueprint of establishing an industrial park at Ugwuoba, in the Oji River local government area of the state has been described as the best investment that will transform Enugu state into a business-oriented state with floodgates of international investments that will enhance the development of the Eastern region with various clusters by development experts.
The former Pinnacle Oil Ltd Boss. Governor Peter Mbah discovered during his campaigns that the idea of establishing a world-class industrial park in Enugu state is best sited at Ugwuoba Oji Riveq lga, in Enugu state, based on the disposition of the town, which is a gateway to the neighbouring Anambra state capital of Awka.
Expectations that Oji River town will regain its lost glory in contributing vastly to the socio-economic potentials of the present Enugu state, South East zone and Nigeria generally is once again in the offing.
Oji River town is the home of the famous Oji River Thermal power station which was the second major source of power in the defunct Eastern region, utilising coal from the Onyeama mines coal deposits in Enugu.
Oji River towe which was equally discovered by the British colonial administration is named after the once fast and deep river(Oji) flowing across several communities The colonial administration also discovered the Oji water wells popularly known as ‘Wonderful water’ that was reticulated beyond the town and institutions like Enugu College of Health Technology. Mlle 2.Oji River. etc. Unfortunately, in the past three decades, the reticulation of Wonderful water within Oji River town collapsed totally due to neglect, amidst the increasing population of residents and institutions who are willing to pay for such public services.
The envisaged Industrial park at Ugwuoba Oji River will turn out to be a new hub and base for both local and International investments, more than Kirikiri and other industrial estates in Lagos. Mbah said it will be one of the best in Africa.
The Industrial park at Ugwuoba in Oji River local government area, Enugu state is cominp at a point when the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. which is the apex body of all Igbo Socio-cultural Organisations is urging Igjbo Entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in Igbo land with the clarion call’Akuruo Ulo’.
There are convictions that the Governor through his ‘Disruptive Innovation’ mechanism to development will not fail in turning his blueprint for the proposed Ugwuoba industrial park into reality, based on his vision of making the Enugu state an economically viable state before the end of his administration.
From all indications. Governor Mbah has the total support and followership of the stakeholders and people of Oji River to site and develop his vision ofUgwuoba Industrial Park. The economy of scale will be a gateway to open up more untapped potentials and either neglected or abandoned several socio-economic establishments in the Oji River local government.
Fortunately. Governor Mbah’s administration has promised to resuscitate the reticulation of pipe-borne water from the ‘Wonderful water station to Oji Urban and surrounding communities when it is done with the Enugu metropolis.
Stating the facts. More than previous civilian administrations in the state, Governor Peter Mbah is set to tap into the potentials of Oji River local government to enhance the socioeconomic fortunes of Enugu state and beyond. By so doing, Oji River will regain it,s lost glory of contributing to the state. zonal and national economy. The economic and commercial benefits to the immigrants are unquantifiable
end.
PI….Gov.Mbah.
