The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has has assured that the organisation under his leadership, will tap on natural deposits, raw materials and human resources abundant in the zone to industrialize Igbo land.
Chief Iwuanyanwu who spoke on a wide range of issues concerning the Igbo during a press conference that commenced the 2023 World Igbo Day Celebration, described Ndigbo as very enterprising set of people who will not depend on the federal government palliatives as their source of living, but works hard to fend for themselves.
He said research conducted by Ohanaeze Ndigbo proved that the quantity of limestone deposits across the zone is capable of sustsining five cement factories. Therefore, the organisation with the support of the South-East governors and Ndigbo in the diaspora will march action with words to ensure more cement factories are established across Igbo land, in addition to revitalising the dormant Nkalagu Cement Factory.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said that there would soon be a blueprint of revitalising the coal industry in the present Enugu state.
He said their research proved there are extension of Enugu coal deposits in some parts of Nsukka and Abakaliki, stating that coal deposits in Enugu is one of the finest across the globe.
He stressed that now that the federal government has removed Coal among solid minerals on Exclusive list to Concurrent list, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with support of the South-East Governors will seek ways of exploring the abundant coal deposits to enhance development and indudtrialisation of Igbo land.
He recalled that the coal industry in Enugu once powered Oji River thermal power station, as one of the main source of electricity for the defunct Eastern region government.
Further, Chief Iwuanyanwu described the South-East zone as possesing fertile land and climate veritable for agriculture.
He lamented that agriculture, the mainstay of the defunct Eastern region government, had been neglected after the discovery of crude oil.
According to him, a barrel of palm oil costs more than a barrel of crude oil in the international market, making it inevitable to return to the onerous task to re-invent the economy of the South East zone.
Chief Iwuanyanwu commended the federal government over the revitalization of Oguta Sea Port in Imo state.
He called for the revitalising of the Onitsha Port and others to boost the economy of the zone.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General also revealed that his administration plans to partner with stakeholders to develop network of railway system that will connect the South-East state capitals and Northern Nigeria.
The 2023 World Igbo day celebration continued on Sunday, September 24, with a church service at Good Shepherd Cathedral, Independence layout, Enugu.
It will be followed by a lecture to be delivered by Most Rev. (Prof.) Igwebuike Onah, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, at the old Government Lodge Enugu, on Thursday, September 28.
