The President-General of the Apex Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has stressed the need for leaders and stakeholders in the South East Zone to embrace the responsibility of formulating practical strategies to tap into the abundant natural resources of the region.
Iwuanyanwu who stated this when he led some Executive Members of the Group on a visit to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, in his Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area country home, emphasized the pivotal role of resource utilization to boost massive economic growth in the South East zone.
He said that the God had blessed the Southeast region with numerous natural resources and underscored the potential for robust industrialization and economic growth if these resources are properly harnessed.
Iwuanyanwu lamented the neglect of non-oil resources despite their historical significance in driving development and cited exemplary leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara who leveraged on agriculture for infrastructure development in pre-oil era.
The Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, disclosed that he initiated a study focusing on Agriculture, Industries, and Education, noting that the study revealed that the South East zone was yet to harness up to 50 percent of it’s agricultural potential.
“It is said that before the war there was a glass factory in Abia, today where are all these things; the discovery of oil has made us loose all these things. Also here in Abia we had a ceramic industry, now, God has given us the raw materials for ceramics.
“It is there in Okigwe. it is there in parts of Abia, it is there in many parts even in Abakakili, but suddenly we don’t even produce it. We import our ceramics from Italy, Turkey, China, but we have the material here.
According to him, limestone which is the biggest material used for producing cement could be found in large commercial quantities in Abia, Imo and Ebonyi, which he said, should be a motivation for building more cement factories.
He added that research had shown that the limestone deposit in the region could be used to run cement production in at least five factories and the profit margin from cement production could get up to 200 per cent.
Iwuanyanwu also noted the overlooked potential in coal and gas reserves, urging proactive measures for their exploitation.
“They told me that we are sitting on top of wealth. The whole of Igboland is sitting on top of gas. I collected samples of coal and sent it abroad and the report I got was that Enugu coal was better than the one in Canada, better than the one in Germany, even the one in America because it has very low percentage of sulphur and that it is still very viable.
“I even asked one of our experts and it was confirmed and then I arrived at the conclusion that God has blessed us, of course you know we have oil”, he said.
Iwuanyanwu who emphasized the importance of leaders and stakeholders stepping up to develop strategies for utilizing the abundant natural resources in the region, commended Governor Otti on his achievements since the inception of his administration and pointed out that citizens want leaders that have the interest of the people at heart.
Responding, Governor Otti, acknowledged the importance of industrialization of the South East zone and pledged commitment to revitalizing moribund industries through modern technology and addressing infrastructural challenges hindering resource utilization.
He affirmed the government’s dedication to enhancing livelihoods through comprehensive developmental initiatives, underscoring the pivotal role of accessible road infrastructure in unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Governor Otti used the opportunity to reveal that he has approved that an assessment of the International Glass Industry, Aba and other moribund industries would be done to enable his government take decision on whether to retrofit them or build new ones, adding that Abia has many mineral resources that would be harnessed.
Governor Otti, who pledged to give Ohaneze Ndigbo all the support, expressed gratitude to Chief Iwuanyanwu for accepting to serve Ndigbo.
