Governor of Enugu State Flags off Tractor Assembly Plant in Enugu
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday flagged off the construction of the Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre, a major investment by ODK Group of Denmark, in Enugu city.
On the same day, he also commissioned the New-Watson Doors Industry, established by a Chinese firm in Nachi, Enugu State.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nortra Tractors Plant and Service Centre, Governor Mbah emphasized the significance of this development in achieving his administration’s goal of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
“This is not just a symbolic act; it is a concrete step toward realizing our dream of having at least 1,000 tractors in Enugu State by next year,” Mbah stated.
He noted that Enugu is positioning itself as a premier destination for investors, but this will only happen by creating an enabling environment.
“We have placed an order for 1,000 tractors, but only 200 will be imported fully assembled. The remaining 800 will be assembled here in Enugu, which will stimulate our economy and create employment.”
Mbah further promised to support genuine investors who are committed to partnering with the state in its ambitious economic goals, saying, “We will continue to provide the basic amenities, infrastructure, and security needed for investments to thrive.”
The Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Adaora Chukwu, highlighted that this was ODK Group’s first investment in Africa.
She praised the group’s expertise in manufacturing agricultural machinery, noting that this would significantly boost agricultural production in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ubru, also described the project as a significant step forward for agriculture in Enugu.
ODK Group Denmark’s CEO, Mr. Morten Anderson, and Nortra Tractors’ Managing Director, Mr. Philip Njoku, explained that Enugu was selected as their entry point into Africa due to the state’s innovation and growth in various sectors.
Later in the day, Governor Mbah commissioned the New-Watson Doors Industry in Nachi. He recalled how the company was initially uncertain about where to invest in 2023, but eventually chose Enugu due to his administration’s efforts to make the state an attractive destination for investors.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment for investors to succeed. We will also patronize local businesses, ensuring that we source materials for key projects, such as our 260 Smart Green Schools and 260 Type 2 Healthcare Centres, from within the state,” Mbah said, urging other investors, particularly from China and other regions, to consider Enugu for their investments.
In his remarks, the CEO of New-Watson, Chen Shando, expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah for the “massive support” received from the government and people of Enugu State.
Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/gov-mbah-flags-off-tractor-assembly-plant-in-enugu/