*IMO ASSEMBLY PLEDGES STRONG LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN INDUSTRY, MINES AND SOLID MINERAL SECTOR*
In a deliberate move aimed at strengthening the Industry, Mines and Solid Mineral sector of the economy of the state, the Imo State House of Assembly has pledged strong legislative support to ensure the vision of the 3-R Shared Prosperity Administration is actualized.
This commitment was made when the House Committee On Commerce And Industry interfaced with officials of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals.
During the interaction which took place on Tuesday 06/08/2024, at the Imo State House Of Assembly complex, the Chairman, House Committee On Commerce And Industry, and Member Representing Ikeduru State Constituency, Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha explained the need to reposition the sector to meet the demands of time, in line with the vision of Governor Hope Uzodimma led Administration.
While appreciating officials of the Ministry for the visit, which was on invitation, the Committee Chairman asserted that their invitation was in fulfilment of the Oversight function as empowered by the constitution. *"The Nigerian Constitution empowered the Committee to do oversight on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, and to ensure the Executive and Judiciary Arm of Government perform its duty at optimal level....."*, the Chairman stated.
Elaborating further, the vibrant and capacity Committee Chairman stated that the Industry, Mines and Solid Mineral sector of the economy of the state, if properly repositioned, would be a major revenue spinning venture for the state government, create employment opportunities for millions of Imo citizens, both in direct and indirect employment, thereby rescuing the state from socioeconomic doldrums, in line with the vision of the 3-R Shared Prosperity leadership of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. Pledging that the Committee would do all that is needed to support the Ministry of Industry, Mines And Solid Minerals to ensure the sector is brought to glorious and optimal heights, Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha explained the reasons why he, as Committee Chairman, invited officials of the Ministry, thus :
1. The activities of the Ministry.
2. The effort being made to attract foreign direct investment to the state
3. The Ministry's Blueprint.
4. Challenges of the Ministry.
Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha, while demanding to know the activities of Ministry Of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, said that the importance of the sector cannot be overemphasized, which demands that the operations and activities of the Ministry should be effective.
Bringing the Committee Members up-to-date on activities and programs of the Ministry since he assumed office in April 2024, the Commissioner for Industry, Mines And Solid Minerals, Rt Hon Ernest Ibejiako (Nwandaaa) disclosed that he assumed office on the 30th of April 2024. According to him, *"Our Ministry is a revenue generating Ministry, and bearing that in mind, I took some strategic steps to ensure no stone is unturned to make it more viable. Firstly, I looked internally by directing that every staff of the Ministry must come into my office to sign his or her name, both on arrival and close of work. This is to ensure commitment. Also, we intend to organize workshop/training for them, to improve and enhance their capacity, effectiveness to duty and ensuring efficiency. We also urgently need utility vehicles for easy movement, in transversing the three zones of the state. There are numerous industries in the state, both functional and moribund industries. We are presently compiling their lists. We are also assessing the performances of the functional and active industries. In compiling the list of these industries, we are also collaborating with NAFDAC, to respond to requests on the names of these industries".*
Continuing, Commissioner Ernest Ibejiako informed IMHA Committee Members that Governor Hope Uzodimma has concluded arrangements for the establishment of world-class industrial parks in each of the three zones, noting that an industrial park is an industrial estate or trading estate which has been zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development. Commissioner Ibejiako further explained that Solid Mineral deposits are in large deposits in Okigwe zone, and as such, industrial park for solid mineral has been designated to be in Okigwe zone, while Orlu zone will be for pharmaceuticals. He further said that Owerri zone will be mixed.
On Onitsha Industrial layout, the Honourable Commissioner said the area is purely for industry, but unfortunately there has been encroachment, whereby people have clandestinely started erecting residential houses, which he said the State government, through its appropriate agency, would do the needful. Commissioner Ibejiako also explained that the same challenge is being experienced at the Naze Industrial layout. On this, the Committee requested to be furnished with the total number of illegal and unauthorized buildings on both the Naze and Onitsha Industrial layouts.
On accessibility of roads in the Onitsha Industrial layout, Commissioner Ernest Ibejiako said that a total of 16 km roads are in the layout, and the state Governor intends to construct them, including supplying electricity from the Orashi power station, once it is completed.
During the interaction, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha bemoaned the sudden closure of the Nigerian Breweries in Awo-Omanma, which according to him, has deprived Imo sons and daughters of gainful employment. However, he disclosed that after he made enquiry and was informed that the closure was due to the very high cost of production, especially on power, and that brewing would resume as soon as the situation improves, he heaved a sign of relief. Hon Chief Johnleoba expressed confidence that with the coming of Orashi Power, Nigerian Breweries Awo Omanma would bounce back, with Imo sons and daughters returning back to their work, including those on indirect employment around the brewery.
Also, Hon Chief Johnson Iheoha informed the Ernest Ibejiako led officials of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals Ministry that when he led his Committee on an Oversight to the Cocoa-Cola Bottling Company Plc located at the Onitsha Industrial layout, the management of the company indicated interest to fix the access road leading to their premises, but demanded official approval to do so.
On issue of illegal mining in the various mining sites in the state, Commissioner Ernest Ibejiako stated that on the directive of the Governor, such sites have been closed down, as illegal miners have devastated many plots of land that would have been put to profitable use. Specifically, Commissioner Ibejiako explained that over 45 plots of land have been devastated by illegal miners at Onitsha Industrial layout.
On some State owned moribund industries, such as ; Standard Shoe Industries Owerri, Ezinnachi Clay Industries, Paper Packaging Industries Owere-Ebiri and the Ceramic Industry, past administrations were blamed for refusing to reactivate them and failing in finding investors to take them over. The Committee expressed high hopes that in no distant time, these industries would become viable once again.
The interface between the IMHA Committee On Commerce And Industry led by Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha and Officials of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals led by Rt Hon Ernest Ibejiako ended on a good note, with both parties agreeing to always meet to fashion out ways of making the sector more productive and economically more viable in the state.
Other Members of the House Committee on Commerce and Industry present at the meeting included :
1. Rt Hon Engr Johnson Iheonukara Duru, Member Representing Ideato South State Constituency.
2. Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam, Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency.
3. Mrs. Blessing Onyeji, Clerk Of The Committee.
Other Officials of the Ministry of Industry, Mines a Solid Minerals who participated in the meeting included :
1. Hon Emma Dike (Special Adviser on Industrial Park).
2. Comrade Chidozie Borday Ibejiako.
3. Mrs E. C. Onwukwe (Director of Industry).
4. Mrs Becky Asogwa (Director of Administration and Finance).
5. Mrs Chinemerem Ibekwe (P.R.O).
6. Mr Leo Ndukwu (H.O.D Mines).
7. Mr Dawson Kelechukwu Emmanuel (I.P.O. 1)
*Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha*
07/08/2024
.jpg)
0 Comments