*Says Industrialization Is The Key To Revamp Nation’s Economy After Effects Of Covid 19*
FROM = EVEREST EZIHE, OWERRI
As covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage nation’s socio-economic activities, Minister of State on Mines and Steel, Hon. Uche Ogah, says the global community should now be thinking out of the box on what should be realistically done to address the damages caused by coronavrirus, noting that industrialization is the veritable key that would aid in repositioning the nation’s shattered economy.
Ogah disclosed this in Owerri, Imo State capital, while on a one day official visit to the State for the commissioning of the Multi Million Naira new production lines of Shanghai Engineering Works and Industrial Limited (SEWIL), Ubomiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State solely built by Mr Festus Mbisiogu, a Nigerian born China and Middle East based business icon.
The Minister who had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma at Government House, Owerri, revealed the efforts Federal Government has made in reviving the nation’s Mines and Steel sector, assuring that soon, Nigeria will be a global melting point for the products.
He applauded Governor Uzodimma for his vision in creating an for enabling environment to establish industries in the State, reassuring of his Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the Imo State Government in any area of need especially as it concerns Mines and Steel.
Ogah also commended Mr Mbisiogu who is the Chairman cum Chief Executive Officer of Shanghai Engineering Works and Industrial Limited, for responding to the patriotic calls of both the Federal and State Governments, on the need for Nigerians in Diaspora to come home and invest, noting that the multi billion Naira factory has aided in creating jobs for over 500 Nigerians directly and over 2,000 persons indirectly.
The Minister while commissioning the new factory buildings housing the production lines dedicated the company to God Almighty, and expressed satisfaction that over 80% of raw materials used are locally sourced.
He promised to present their challenges to relevant authorities of the Federal Government for accelerated response.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr Mbisiogu said that despite the clarion call by the Federal Government on Nigerians in diaspora to return home and invest, he was rather inspired by the industrial prowress of the Chinese having lived in their country for over 15 years.
He pointed out that he has a triple vision of making the company, a one stop shop for manufacturing building materials, in order to bridge the gap in importing building materials and allied products from Asia continent into Nigeria, and to assist the Federal Government, in its efforts to create job opportunities for teeming Nigerian youths who are unemployed.
According to him “SEWIL summoned the courage to take the bull by the horns which gave the resolve to return our investment from overseas to Nigeria on the conviction that we must also spearhead our industrial revolution and development before foreign investors will take us serious.
He continued “Moreso, as a community leader among the Nigerians in Diaspora, I observed that over 85% of remittances of Nigerians in Diaspora back home go into domestic consumption and self gratuity of comfort and luxury, which does not in any way help economic growth and Community development.
“These findings aided in the motivation of the establishment of SEWIL as a medium to change the narrative and encourage other Diasporas to follow our footsteps in contributing to the growth and development of the country” he said.
He lamented on the issue of epileptic power outage as a major challenge and appealed to all levels of government in Nigeria to give serious attention to the provision of constant power supply, just as he appealed to Imo State Government to tar the main entrance route to his factory.
Imo State government officials also witnessed the event. Those present at the event include: Hon Kingsley Ononuju, Commissioner for Commerce and Industries, Hon John Eke , the Chairman Mbaitoli Interim Management Committee (IMC), Hon Councillor Celia Osakwe – Hibbert , Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora, Dr. Kingsley Ufere, Special Adviser to the Governor on Mining, Sir Innocent Ikpamezie, the General Manager OCDA, HRH Eze Clifford Amadi, the traditional ruler of Amaihe Autonomous Community among others.
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