Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra has inaugurated an airport city project worth over two billio dollars (N800bn) at Ifite-Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.
Inaugurating the project on Tuesday, Obiano said it was an important step in expanding the frontiers of excellence in the state.
He disclosed that the project was a public private partnership investment by the state government, Orient Petroleum Resources Limited and Sinoking Enterprises Investments Ltd. of China.
“It would accommodate an airport with two runways, an aviation fuel dump, an airport hotel, an industrial business park, an international convention centre as well as a facility for aircraft maintenance.
“The project sits on 1,500 hectares of land with enough elbowroom for expansion from Ivite-Umueri to neighbouring communities such as Nando, Umunya, Otuocha, Aguleri, Nteje, Nsugbe and beyond.
“It was facilitated by Elite International Investment Holdings Ltd.,” the governor disclosed.
According to him, under the contractual agreement, Sinoking Enterprises Investment Ltd will contribute 75 per cent of the total cost, Orient Petroleum Resources Ltd will contribute 20 per cent while the state government will contribute 5 per cent.
He said the host community of Umueri would be entitled to 3 per cent of the profit from the project in perpetuity as a part of the standard corporate social responsibility.
“Indeed, the economic benefits of the Umueri Airport City Project are enormous.
“It is expected to generate 1,200 direct and 3600 indirect jobs and we expect the people of the state to grab 70 per cent of the jobs in continuation of our efforts to create wealth and prosperity for our people.
“It will also provide an opportunity for training and skills transfer to our people,” the governor stressed.
Obiano expressed optimism that the project would ease business and wipe out the difficulties businessmen and women in the area often encounter in exporting and importing goods and services.
He said the project and the subsequent plan for a light rail project, would place the state in the rightful place as a major commercial and industrial hub in the West African sub-region.
The governor stressed that his administration was intensely focused on building projects that would give immense economic values.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate