Obinna, MAN national vice president urges businessmen to invest homeward

By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
The National Vice President (Eastern Zone) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Okenze Sylvester Obinna has advised wealthy individuals in Imo State to invest in manufacturing sector in order to support Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

Obinna who gave the advise while addressing members of
Association of Ngor Okpala Journalists, ANOJ, who paid him a courtesy visit Thursday at the Imo/Abia MAN secretariat at Umuowa in Ngor Okpala LGA urged businessmen of Ngor Okpala extraction to emulate their Nnewi counterparts and invest at home.

He explained that Ngor Okpala LGA is viable for manufacturing business because the strategic and central location of the area as the host community of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, SMICA, Owerri and proximity to Onne Seaport among others.

He hinted that it is easier to import through the Onne Seaport adding that the Orashi Power Station of the Imo state government will provide improved electricity supply needed to keep industries running.

He enjoined handy Ngor Okpala sons and daughters to take advantage of the siting of MAN Office in the area to venture into manufacturing as well as joining MAN stressing that the association is willing to provide the necessary assistance for prospective manufacturers.

His words, “We have a lot of wealthy businessmen in Ngor Okpala council and they should emulate our Nnewi brothers who have continued to invest at home . Ngor Okpala council is the most peaceful council in the state . We have no insecurity.

The Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport which the current administration is working hard to ensure that it begins full cargo operation ,the Afriexim bank quality control for the entire south east are all situated in Ngor Okpala. Again, the Orashi Power which supplies at least 20 hours of electricity has reduced the cost of production which the best thing the current administration has done.

“I could have located my factory in Lagos or Abuja but I decided to locate it in my community Umuaga Nguru and I get at least 18 – 20 hours of electricity supply. They could site their factories along the Owerri / Aba road axis will also get connected to Orashi Power.”

“It is easier to import and export your goods from the Onne Seaport in Rivers state because it is operational rather than doing so from Tincan port which will add an extra through trucking. Ngor Okpala is border town to Rivers State.”

The Eastern Zone MAN VP who whose company manufactures high quality assorted roofing sheets encouraged investors to take advantage of the improved security, Orashi Power Station and other logistics provided by Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration and turn the area to the industrial hub of the state.