"I attracted $2.4 billion to the economy in 18 months," Anambra governor boasts

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has said that his administration’s achievements within 18 months, included attracting 2.4 billion dollars investments to boost the state’s economy.

The governor also disclosed that the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) had increased from N500 million to N1.3 billion and there were indications that it would attain the government’s N3 billion target.

``This administration has so far attracted over 660 million dollar investments to the agricultural sector, especially in rice, tomato and cassava production and processing and storage.

``We have organised our farmers into 1,500 cooperatives and equipped them with 100 tractors.

``We have given out 45,000 tons of high-yielding rice seedlings and 18,000 tons of highly improved maze seedlings as well as 700 metric tons of fertiliser.

``Our efforts in agriculture will enable our state to produce over 300,000 metric tons of rice, 150,000 metric tons of cassava and 240,000 metric tons of tomatoes in the next 24 months,’’ he said.

According to him, over 140 million dollar of investment has gone into the manufacturing sector, including an investment of over 50 million dollars to build an automotive assembly plant at Ozubulu.

Obiano said his administration’s target was to have a functional oil and gas sector operational in the state by 2018.

``We have concluded plans to pipe aviation fuel from the Orient Petroleum Refinery at Umuleri to the airport where a storage facility will be built for it.

``The idea is for the airport to serve as a major hub for the re-fuelling of international flights in West Africa,’’ he said.

In the education sector, Obiano said 862 units of 10-classroom blocks have been renovated across the 21 local government areas in the state.

The governor also disclosed that N733 million was expended on renovation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) mission schools.

``This government wants to ensure a `No-Child-Left-Behind’ policy in education and will continue to give free education to all physically challenged children.

``Scholarships were also awarded to over 200 students at all levels of education, including children and victims of insurgency in the country,’’ he said.

However, Obinao warned of an impending flooding mostly in Anambra West Local Government Area, adding that spirited individuals should help to support flood victims.