Governor Soludo Vows To Actualise Anambra Industrial City Masterplan

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has vowed to make Anambra Industrial city masterplan a reality.

He stated the agenda was part of his electoral promise to Anambraians as Arteila Consulting Engineers Limited, India, recently presented the Anambra State Mixed -Used Industrial City (AMIC) masterplan to stakeholders in the state.

Speaking through the state Commissioner for Trade and Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu, stated that the validation exercise, which focused on key constituency of host communities, is simply to review the draft plan, receive comments from stakeholders for onward integration into the final document before the major convening by the Governor.

He noted that the highly anticipated project aims to transform the state into a thriving industrial hub and attract both local and international investments.

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“The AMIC project has the potential to attract both domestic and foreign investors, as it offers a strategic location and a conducive business environment.

The industrial city will provide essential infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply, and waste management systems to facilitate smooth operations for industries and businesses.

“Furthermore, the project aligns with the Nigerian government’s commitment to promoting a diversified economy. By establishing Anambra as a prominent industrial hub, the state will be able to reduce its reliance on oil revenues and embrace sustainable economic growth through the development of various sectors.

“The validation process allows stakeholders to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and concerns to ensure that the masterplan is comprehensive and meets the long-term goals of the state. The project developers are keen to address any potential issues and incorporate feedback during the finalization of the masterplan to ensure its successful implementation.

“The AMIC project is set to revolutionize the state’s industrial landscape by providing optimized spaces for manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and logistics. The masterplan includes provisions for residential areas, commercial centers, recreational facilities, and green spaces, ensuring a holistic approach to city planning.”

Presenting the draft plan, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Artelia Consulting Engineers Limited India, Mr. C S Narayanan, listed integrated approach, stakeholders engagement and feedback based approach, strategic benchmarking solutions that address the need for smart and sustainable industrial clusters and industrial ecology symbiosis and circular economy creation as the principles considered in developing a Mixed-Used Industrial City for Anambra State.

Stakeholders engagement

He highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement. They emphasized that the success of the AMIC project relies heavily on the collaboration and support of all stakeholders. By including various perspectives and expertise, the masterplan aims to address the diverse needs of the community while promoting sustainable development.

According to Narayanan, “Artelia Consulting Engineers Limited, a renowned multinational consulting firm, was commissioned by the Anambra State government to develop the masterplan for the industrial city. With a wealth of experience in infrastructure planning, engineering, and project management, the firm has successfully executed numerous projects globally.”

Mr. Narayanan notably appreciated Governor Soludo for assisting them with a lot of inputs that led to the success of the project.

Moderating the session, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ANSIPPA, Mr. Mark Okoye, unveiled that the Mixed-Used Industrial City which will sit on a 4,046 hectares of land within six communities across Orumba North and South Council Areas will create 177,000 thousand jobs.

In their separate contributions, the Founder and the Director General of Onitsha Business School, Prof. Olusegun Ogbesan, the state commissioner for lands, Professor Offornze Amucheazi, the state commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ejiofor, commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Comrade Don Onyenji, and commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, stated that the unveiling of the AMIC masterplan was met with great excitement and anticipation by stakeholders, as it represents a significant opportunity for economic growth and development in the state.

The event, organized by Anambra State Investment, Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA, took place at the International Convention Center, ICC, Awka, with stakeholders from ministries, Departments and Agencies in attendance, including host communities, members of the private sector, civil society organizations, the media, among numerous others.

Olusola Akintonde