By Adaobi Nsofor
In a bid to actualise the vision of the Soludo-led administration in citizen’s empowerment through industrialisation, and by utilising local natural resources for wealth creation, the Anambra State Government plans to set up a Bentonite Processing Factory which would take advantage of huge deposits of Bentonites in the area.
To this end, the Managing Director/CEO of Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited (ANSSMDCL), Prof.Charles O.Ofoegbu, together with the officials of the agency, accompanied by the representatives of the village heads, led by the President-General, have embarked on an inspection visit to the piece of land donated by the community for citing of the Bentonite Processing Plant in Achalla-agu, Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
The ASSMDCL Boss, in an interview shortly after the inspection and handover of the lands nearing 7 hectares, noted that the State Government wants to formalise and seek the consent of the Nteje community through the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, at which the aim is to harness the huge deposits of the materials in the community for the production of both oil and water based Bentonite needed in petroleum and water drilling.
Prof. Ofoegbu stated that the project will lead to industrialisation and overall development of the community which has already received the approval of Mr Governor, and work on the project is expected to take off in January, 2025.
The President-General of the community, Dr Nnamdi Iloduba thanked the delegations and expressed the readiness of the town to play host to the Government when the work kicks off.
Chairman, Achalla-Agu, Nteje, Mr Igwebuike Nwoye and Chairman, Oji Ani, Nteje, Chief Francis Uchendu, in their separate interviews, expressed their excitement and commended the State Governor for bringing such a huge project to their community.
They were hopeful that the project would bring about massive development and industrialisation to their community, while reducing unemployment and criminalities among the youths.
They further assured the workers that would be working at the factory and officials of the Government of their safety.
