Stakeholders in the investment and business promotion sector have commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for providing a conducive atmosphere and the framework for businesses to thrive in the state.
At the unveiling of Lion Business Park, Enugu, an integrated industrial/commercial hub driven by public-private partnership, the stakeholders described the project as one of the governor’s visions that has become a reality.
The park is an offshoot of the first-ever Enugu State Investment Summit in 2016, christened ‘Oganiru Enugu, organised by the Ugwuanyi administration to woo investors.
The event also witnessed inauguration of the Lion Business Park Head Office complex and special presentation of the park.
In his goodwill message at the event, the Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, applauded Ugwuanyi “for providing conducive environment to attract this project.”
Represented by the Assistant Director/Zone Administrator, Enugu Industrial Park Free Trade Zone, Mrs. Obiageli Obioha, the NEPZA MD disclosed that they were impressed with the milestone the Zone Management of Lion Business Park accomplished, pointing out that “the construction work here at site is enough to attest to the absolute readiness of the promoters to commence full business.”
NEPZA stated that the initiative was a welcome development. “It will encourage in-country manufacturing, which aligns with the current drive by the Federal Government to focus the economy on local production and moving away from Import dependency.
“It needs to be reiterated that Lion Business Park FZ Development Company has taken the bull by the horns by acquiring this massive land (2,000 hectares) through the support of the state government, and putting in place the necessary infrastructure. Now is the right time to be allocated a space for active participation,” he added.
The agency, therefore, encouraged the captains of industry, local and foreign investors, other individuals, groups and governments to take advantage of the incentives the scheme offers to bring about rapid socio-economic and industrial development in the South East region and Nigeria by extension.
It assured them: “Your investment is in safe hands, while expecting that you play by the rules.”
On his part, the Director-General of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, Dr. Dan-Azumi Ibrahim, lauded Ugwuanyi for his foresight towards the actualisation of the gigantic investment project in Enugu, saying: “I am really impressed with this vision.”
The former Economic Adviser to the President, Prof. Osita Ogbu, pointed out that the governor’s vision to partner the Lion Business Park was clear and should be applauded, stressing that “it is an important project all of us should buy into.”
The former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, members of the House of Assembly, Council Chairmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Free Trade Zone, Martin Orakwe, local and foreign investors, were among the dignitaries at the event.
