Chief Uche Nnaji, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Enugu State governorship, outlined a three‑pillar industrialisation strategy for the state on Saturday at Lagos’s Alaba International Market, where he was hosted by Igbo traders and the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers’ Association (ASPAMDA).
Nnaji said the plan centres on developing coal, iron‑ore and cement industries, projects he expects will draw more than $4 billion in foreign direct investment and generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs for Enugu residents.
He criticised the current exploitation of coal in the Awhum area, noting that “about 100 trucks leave this part of Enugu every day” carrying raw coal while the community receives no benefit, even though the government collects N250,000 per truck.
“I am not interested in making money as a governor. God has helped me already, and it is time for me to help my people and to make Enugu work again,” Nnaji said.
Nnaji explained that value‑added processing of coal could produce chemicals such as dimethylethyl, methanol, ammonia and urea, which command high export prices. He cited Indorama’s operation of 3,000 metric tonnes of urea daily as an example of the revenue potential, noting that a friend with a five‑percent stake earns N42 million each December.
He also pointed to commercial‑grade iron‑ore deposits spanning Nachi in Udi, the Oji River area and parts of neighboring Anambra and Nsukka, and said cement production would form a further pillar of the industrial agenda.
Reflecting on his political career, Nnaji recalled winning a Senate seat in 1999 but voluntarily handing it to Chief Jim Nwobodo, and later serving as a federal minister after being appointed by President Bola Tinubu—a role he said exposed him to the benefits of people‑oriented leadership. He added that his administration would seek to fund development projects without waiting for monthly allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
